ISHS Acta Horticulturae 740: I International Symposium on Papaya
TRADE AND MARKETING OF CONVENTIONAL VERSUS TRANSGENIC PAPAYAS |
| Author: | L.H. Mochida |
| Keywords: | papaya, papaya ringspot virus, genetic modification, marketing |
| Abstract:
The devastation in the early nineties of the ‘Kapoho Solo’ and ‘Sunrise Solo’ varieties due to the Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRSV) disease crippled the Hawaii papaya industry. Production decreased from over 25,893 tonnes in 1993 to 15,625 tonnes in 1998 - a decline of 40%. Although the virus-resistant transgenic papaya was identified in 1991, it took seven years to get through the United States regulatory system and necessary field trials to prove efficacy and safety to both the growers and the community. Seed production of the hybrid transgenic ‘Rainbow’ resistant to PRSV was started as reviews were completed and the transgenic papaya was deregulated. The papaya industry slowly increased their production as areas planted with the transgenic ‘Rainbow’ papaya increased. Segregation of the different varieties is crucial to allow continued shipments to markets such as Japan, for which the transgenic varieties have not been deregulated. The Hawaii papaya industry has shown that both transgenic papayas and non-transgenic papayas can coexist safely and complement the production of each other. The Japanese exporters in Hawaii along with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) have developed the Identity Preservation Program (IPP). This program certifies non-transgenic ‘Kapoho Solo’ and ‘Sunrise’ fruits that are destined for Japan. This certification prior to shipping alleviates delays due to the necessary strict testing of these papayas at the ports of entry in Japan. The science based biotechnology product of the transgenic ‘Rainbow’ papaya saved the papaya industry in Hawaii and has assisted in the reestablishment of small growers businesses. | |
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