Genetically modified wheat developed by Argentina’s Bioceres Crop Solutions has been approved for commercial use in the United States.

The HB4 wheat cultivar has been genetically modified to tolerate drought, making it potentially beneficial for farmers dealing with increasingly severe weather.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Regulatory Status Review (RSR) concluded that HB4 wheat did not pose any increased plant pest risk compared with conventional wheat.

See also: How Precision Breeding Act is advancing gene edited crops

This ruling allows the cultivation of HB4 wheat in the US, making it the fourth country to approve its production, following Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.

Although the USDA has cleared HB4 wheat for production, Bioceres will still need to complete additional steps, such as field trials, before commercial cultivation can begin in the US.

This process is expected to take several years, according to the export promotion body US Wheat Associates.

In addition to the US, HB4 wheat has been authorised for food and feed use in several countries, including Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Nigeria and South Africa.

Australia, a major wheat-producing country facing water shortages, recently granted Bioceres a licence to conduct field trials, a crucial step towards potential future production there.

The USDA’s decision marks a pivotal moment for the future of genetically modified crops in the US, especially in the context of climate adaptation and agricultural sustainability.

The rollout of HB4 wheat will be closely watched by both supporters and opponents of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The previous UK government passed the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act, which allows gene-edited food crops to be developed, grown and sold in England.

However, while Rothamsted Research has carried out field trials of GM wheat over the past decade – which it said were successful – GM crops are not permitted to be grown commercially in the UK.