Press Release

Jim Rogers	(202) 690-4755
Jerry Redding	(202) 720-6959

USDA SEEKS COMMENTS ON DEREGULATION OF BIOTECH BENTGRASS

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2004--The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking public comment on a petition from the Monsanto and Scotts companies to deregulate a genetically engineered glyphosate-tolerant creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.).

Specifically, APHIS is seeking public comment on whether this herbicide-tolerant creeping bentgrass presents a plant pest risk and on certain issues pertaining to the potential environmental effects of the genetically engineered bentgrass, for instance:

-- In which environments and crops (and locations) are creeping bentgrass and/or its sexually compatible relative controlled or managed by herbicides, mechanical measures or biological agents?

-- What are the intents and practices for the targeted or secondary control or management of creeping bentgrass and its sexually compatible relatives, to what extent is glyphosate used and what are alternative herbicides that could be used?

-- What would be the cumulative effects from commercialization of glyphosate-tolerant creeping bentgrass, and how might these effects be monitored and mitigated by deployment (release) strategies or management practices?

This notice was published in the Jan. 5 Federal Register. APHIS' biotechnology regulatory services program is posting a copy of the petition at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/03_10401p.pdf and the preliminary risk assessment at
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/03_10401p_ra.pdf.

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 March 5. Comments may be submitted by postal mail, commercial delivery or e-mail. Send an original and three copies of postal mail or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. 03-101-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. If you use e-mail, address comments to regulations@aphis.usda.gov. Comments must be contained in the body the message; do not send attached files. Please include your name and address in the body of the message and use"Docket No. 03-101-1", on the subject line.

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

Note to Reporters: USDA news releases, program announcements and media advisories are available on the Internet. Access the APHIS home page by pointing your Web browser to http://www.aphis.usda.gov and clicking on the "News" button. Also, anyone with an e-mail address can sign up to receive APHIS press releases automatically. Send an e-mail message to majordomo@info.aphis.usda.gov and leave the subject blank. In the message, type: subscribe press_releases