Press Release

Meghan Thomas	(301) 734-3266
Jerry Redding	(202) 720-6959

USDA TO REQUIRE PERMITS FOR ALL INDUSTRIAL BIOTECH PLANTS

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2003--The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is amending its biotechnology regulations as they pertain to plants designed to produce industrial compounds. Entities wishing to move, field test or import these types of engineered plants must apply for a permit.

Previously, APHIS allowed companies and institutions to field test, move or import plants genetically engineered to produce industrial compounds under its notification process, which is an expedited permitting procedure. The notification process was originally added to the biotechnology regulations in 1993 in order to expedite introductions for genetically engineered plants considered low risk and developed using genetic modifications with which APHIS was already familiar. Previous notifications issued for genetically engineered industrial plants involved plants in which nutritional components, such as oil content, were being engineered.

Recently, requests involving genetically engineered industrial plants have utilized new, less familiar processes and non-food, non-feed traits that no longer qualify for the notification process. This interim rule strengthens APHIS' regulations for field testing of genetically engineered industrial plants in anticipation of an increase in requests to move, import or field test these types of plants.

Notice of the interim rule is scheduled to appear in the Aug. 6 Federal Register and is effective upon publication. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at http:/www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Oct. 6. Send an original and three copies of postal or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. 03-038-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. If you use e-mail, address your comments to regulations@aphis.usda.gov. Your comments must be contained in the body of the message; do not send attached files. Please include your name and address in the message and use "Docket No. 03-038-1" on the subject line.

Comments may be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to review comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

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