Biotech Updates

USDA Announces Deregulation Extension of Potato Developed Using Genetic Engineering

April 28, 2021

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is extending deregulation to J.R. Simplot Company's (Simplot) potato variety Snowden Z6 (Z6 potato) engineered for late blight protection, lowered reducing sugars, low acrylamide potential, and reduced blackspot bruising.

APHIS has previously reviewed and deregulated these traits in another Simplot potato variety, Innate W8 Russet Burbank potato (W8 potato). APHIS reviewed Simplot's extension request for Z6 potato variety and prepared a Plant Pest Risk Similarity Assessment (PPRSA) and preliminary determination of nonregulated status.

The PPRSA and preliminary determination were made available for a 30-day public review and comment period on June 25, 2020. After considering the public comments, APHIS has determined Z6 potato is unlikely to post a plant pest risk and is extending deregulation to the Z6 potato line.

For more details, read the article on the APHIS website or the notice in the Federal Register.


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