USDA-APHIS Designates Cibus' Disease Resistance Traits for Gene-Edited Canola as Not Regulated

Cibus Inc., an agricultural technology company, has announced that two of its disease resistance trait products under development for canola have been designated as not regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS).

The two trait products, developed using Cibus' gene editing system called Rapid Trait Development System™ (RTDS®), enable targeted genetic changes without integrating recombinant DNA or foreign genetic material at any stage in the crop's development. USDA-APHIS confirmed the plants do not meet the definition of a “regulated article” under 7 CFR Part 340, which enables Cibus to proceed with product development without restrictions associated with regulated articles in the U.S.

Cibus' Sclerotinia resistance trait in canola has multiple modes of action to provide durable resistance and enable farmers to improve yields and lower input costs by reducing reliance on fungicides to control the disease. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, also referred to as white mold, is a fungal pathogen that causes stem rot in oilseed crops and most legumes, including soybeans. A significant disease, white rot, reduces canola yields by 7-15%, with yield losses per infected plant being as great as 50%. The Canola Council of Canada considers it one of the most economically significant canola diseases in Canada.

For more details, read the news release from Cibus.