Biotech Updates

USDA Launches Pilot Biotech Quality Management System

January 23, 2009

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) introduced a pilot biotechnology quality management system (BQMS) in line with its efforts to enhance compliance with the regulatory requirements for field trials and movements of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms.

“Our goal with the biotechnology quality management system is to give developers the tools they need to better comply with our regulations,” said Michael Gregoire, deputy administrator for APHIS’ biotechnology regulatory services program. “The pilot project provides us with an opportunity to further develop and improve the system before its full implementation.”

Guidelines for the system are available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/news_bqms.shtml. The APHIS media release is posted at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2009/01/qmspilot.shtml