USDA - APHIS - Biotechnology

Proposed Revisions to APHIS Regulation of Genetically Engineered Organisms Public Participation

Past Public Participation for Rule Revisions

April 2009 Public Meeting on Proposed Rule for Biotechnology Regulations
On April 29-30, APHIS held an issue-focused public meeting on a proposed rule to revise existing regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement and environmental release of certain genetically engineered organisms in Riverdale, Md.

March 2009 Scoping Meeting on Extension of Comment Period on Proposed Rule for Biotechnology Regulations
On March 11, 2009 APHIS announced in a Federal Register Notice that it would hold a public scoping session on March 13 to discuss the agenda and format for public meeting(s) to be held in April 2009 on a proposed rule to revise existing regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms. The scoping session served to identify the full range of topics for the agenda as well as to solicit recommendations from participants regarding collaborative meeting formats that would best ensure focused, substantive dialogue at the April meeting(s). The Federal Register Notice also announced the extension of the comment period on the proposed rule until 60 days after the April public meetings.

March 9, 2009 Federal Register Notice on Extension of Comment Period
On March 11, 2009 APHIS announced in a Federal Register Notice that it would hold a public scoping session on March 13 to discuss the agenda and format for public meeting(s) that would be held in April 2009 on a proposed rule to revise existing regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms. The Federal Register Notice also announced the extension of the comment period on the proposed rule until June 29, 2009.

January 2009 Federal Register Notice on Proposed Rule
On January 16, 2009, APHIS published a Federal Register Notice announcing that it is reopening the public comment period for the proposed rule to revise existing regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms. APHIS will hold one or more additional public meetings during this comment period. The time and place of the public meeting(s) will be announced in an upcoming Federal Register Notice.

APHIS published the proposed rule in the Federal Register for a 45-day comment period on October 9, 2008. After receiving more than 15,000 comments, APHIS determined the need for further feedback on specific aspects of its proposal.

October 2008 Federal Register Notice on Proposed Rule
On October 9, 2008, APHIS published a Federal Register Notice announcing the proposed rule for the revisions to APHIS Code of Federal Regulations, Volume 7, Section 340. The proposed rule was open for public comment through November 24, 2008.

View Public Comments Received on the Proposed Rule

2008 Public Meetings on the Proposed Rule
In October and November 2008, APHIS held public forums in three locations in order to provide opportunities for the public to comment on the proposed rule. The format consisted of informational posters and comment stations where attendees were able interact APHIS personnel and provide comments. Comments received at these public forums will be added to this Docket.

October 28 , 2008--Davis, CA
October 30, 2008--Kansas City, MO
November 13, 2008--Riverdale, MD

View the posters displayed at the public forums:

July 2007 Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS
In July 2007, APHIS published in the Federal Register the Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS. APHIS gathered written comments through September 11, 2007.

2007 Public Forums
In 2007, APHIS held four public forums in three locations to gather public feedback:

August 1, 2007--Riverdale, MD
August 3, 2007--Riverdale, MD
August 16, 2007--Davis, CA
August 30, 2007--Kansas City, MO

View the posters displayed at the public forums:

The National Environmental Policy Act

Regulatory Authority

Multi-tiered Permitting System

Plants that Produce Pharmaceutical or Industrial Compounds

Low-Level Presence of Regulated Material

Imports and Movement

January 2004 Notice of Intent (NOI)
On January 23, 2004, BRS published a notice of intent (NOI), advising the public that APHIS intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) in connection with potential changes to the regulations for the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms. This was the first opportunity for public comments in the EIS process. The notice identified potential issues and alternatives that will be studied in the EIS and requested public comment to further shape the scope of the issues and alternatives. APHIS gathered comments through March 23, 2004, and reopened the comment period on March 29, 2004 through April 13, 2004.

BRS received approximately 2,340 comments on its notice of intent (NOI) through e-mail and postal mail.

View summary of NOI comments

View individual comments received:

Public Comments Received by E-mail
Public Comments Received by Postal Mail (pdf file)

2004 Stakeholder Meetings
BRS also held a series of stakeholder meetings in February and March 2004 to discuss issues associated with the program’s proposal to revise its regulations.
Learn more about the stakeholder meetings and view the meeting transcripts.