Biotech Updates

USDA Seeks Comments on Biotech Quality Management System Project

June 18, 2009

The US Department of Agriculture's and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking public comment on draft standards for a pilot version of APHIS' planned biotechnology quality management system (BQMS). The BQMS is a voluntary program that aims to enhance compliance with the regulatory requirements for field trials and interstate movements of certain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). According to the Agency, BQMS will help the universities, producers, and companies, who introduce regulated GE organisms, to analyze their operations, identify control points where problems could occur, and apply mitigation measures to address those vulnerabilities. APHIS stressed that the system will not replace existing regulatory compliance and inspection process.

APHIS will consider comments received on or before August 3, 2009. For more information, visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2009/06/bqmsproj.shtml