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This is a regional report on West Africa that primarily covers Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Mali, but also provides brief overviews in certain sections for Niger, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritania. Senegal and Mauritania passed new biosafety laws on June 14, 2022, and August 4, 2022, respectively.

Despite being passed in 2010, Nicaraguan biotechnology legislation lacks implementing regulations that would open additional opportunities for farmers and food processors to integrate new technologies into their operations. However, Nicaraguan companies continue to regularly import genetically engineered feed grains and oilseed products to support the growing livestock sector.

Japan’s Ministry of the Environment opened public comment period on proposed revisions of the Basic Policy of the Green Procurement Act. One proposed change includes greater emphasis in government procurement decisions on the greenhouse gas emission value of goods and services. Comments must be submitted in Japanese by December 6, 2022.

On October 18, 2022, The Government of the Philippines marked Bt eggplant as its third genetically engineered crop approved for commercial propagation, following Bt corn and Golden Rice.

Public support for agricultural biotechnology in Belgium is roughly divided between the Wallonia and Flemish regions with the latter more receptive. The Flemish region is home to the country's ag biotech cluster where much of the research on biotechnology and experimental field trials take place.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) continue to collaborate on the Renewable Energy Program for the Agriculture and Fisheries Sector (REP AFS) to undertake programs aimed at boosting the country’s energy and food security.

After a summer of Dutch farmer protests, a much-anticipated independent report was presented to the government and public on October 5, 2022. In it, the government-appointed independent facilitator and former politician, Johan Remkes, presented his findings from talks he held with the government, the Dutch agricultural sector, industry, nature organizations, and others.

On October 4, 2022, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) invited public comments on the proposed Basic Policy for Promoting Decarbonization of Aviation. The proposed policy identifies Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) introduction as a key strategy for reducing CO2 emissions in Japan’s aviation sector.

To promote a greater dialogue with the People's Republic of China (PRC) on issues related to climate, the FAS offices in China launched “Agriculture for a Better Future,” a series of social media posts on U.S. Mission to China social media platforms.

On September 13 & 14, the European Union Parliament adopted its negotiating positions on Deforestation-Free Supply Chains regulations and revisions to the Renewable Energy Directive. The two files will now enter trilogue negotiations, where the Council, Parliament, and Commission will work to reach a compromise text.

On each third Tuesday of September, the Dutch King’s speech is held prior to the opening of the parliamentary year. In his speech, King Willem-Alexander mentioned circular agriculture as option to tackle the Dutch nitrogen problem.

This report provides an unofficial translation of Vietnam’s Prime Minister Decision 896 dated July 26, 2022, to approve the National Strategy on Climate Change by 2050 and the Decision 942 dated August 5, 2022, to approve the Action Plan on Methane Emissions Reduction by 2030.