Biotech Updates

USDA Announces Biotech Regulatory Actions

January 6, 2012

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced four regulatory notices and supporting scientific evaluations related to the agency's oversight of genetically-engineered plants.

APHIS made a determination of nonregulated status of two varieties: corn genetically engineered to better withstand drought conditions, as well as a soybean which has been genetically engineered to have tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate and produce higher levels of oleic acid. In addition, APHIS has prepared plant pest risk assessments (PPRA) and draft environmental assessments (EA) to address requests from developers seeking determinations of nonregulated status of two separate items: a soybean that has been genetically engineered to produce an omega-3 fatty acid and corn that has been genetically engineered to be resistant to the herbicide 2,4-D.

See the APHIS announcement at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/2011/12/brs_actions.shtml.