Biotech Updates

USDA APHIS Seeks Comments to Deregulate GE Cotton

June 13, 2018

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced the preliminary determination of deregulation from Bayer CropScience LP for event GHB811, a cotton variety genetically engineered (GE) for resistance to HPPD-inhibitor herbicides (e.g., isoxaflutole) and the herbicide glyphosate.

Based on APHIS' analysis of field and laboratory data submitted by Bayer, references provided in the petition, peer-reviewed publications, information analyzed in the draft EA, the preliminary PPRA, comments provided by the public on the petition, and discussion of issues in the draft EA, APHIS has determined that cotton designated as event GHB811 is unlikely to pose a plant pest risk.

APHIS has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment, preliminary Plant Pest Risk Assessment, and preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact, which will be available for a 30-day public comment period (July 6, 2018). The notice is available in the Federal Register.

For more details, read the notice posted in the Federal Register. To submit a public comment, visit the APHIS website.