Document VJDb3dRq4wkk6rMkMoJb5wQRK

asta amencan seed trade association June 6,2018 Dr. Nancy B. Beck, DABT U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Assistant Administrator 1201 Constitution Ave., NW (7101M) WJC East, Room 3148A Washington, DC 20004 Dear Nancy, On behalf of ASTA and our members, I would like to express our sincere thanks for the time you took out of your schedule to discuss the future of plant breeding innovation. I think the passion and excitement of the diverse group was clear. If an appropriate policy framework can be applied, tools such as gene editing will have a tremendous impact on our ability to sustainably address a wide-range of challenges. Gene editing was identified as an important technological innovation to improve livelihoods in rural America in the report of the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. By working collaboratively with USDA and FDA, EPA can help secure the future for plant breeding and innovation. However, over regulation will have a stifling effect on U.S. leadership in agriculture. We appreciate that you and your team are open to continued dialogue. As I noted in the meeting, a large group of food value chain and academic organizations have a strong interest in ensuring that these tools remain broadly available. Please do not hesitate to contact me or any of the groups that participated in the meeting for further discussion. Sincerely, Kl- Andrew W. LaVigne President & CEO first-the seed ,___________ _ _________ 1701 Duke Street Suite 275 Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone:! Ex. 6 j Fax:j E X . 6 Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tiers 8&9 ED 002061 00045071-00001 Meeting Participants May 17, 2018 Andy LaVigne Bernice Slutsky Jane DeMarchi Elizabeth Stulberg Andrew Walmsley John Gordley Tyrone Spady Clint Nesbitt Katharine Emerson Joe Bischoff ASTA ASTA ASTA Agronomy, Crop and Soil Science Societies American Farm Bureau Federation American Soybean Association American Society of Plant Biologists BIO National Corn Growers Association Produce Marketing Association Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tiers 8&9 ED 002061 00045071-00002