Rachel Iadicicco (301) 734-3255
Jerry Redding (202) 720-4623
USDA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON DEREGULATION OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED SOYBEAN
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2007--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking public comment on a petition to deregulate soybean line 356043, genetically engineered (GE) for herbicide resistance.
The petition for deregulation, submitted by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., is in accordance with APHIS’ regulations concerning the introduction of GE organisms and products. APHIS has prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) to determine whether deregulating the soybean could have a significant impact on the environment. After a thorough review of the scientific evidence, APHIS’ current preferred action is to deregulate the soybean based on the fact that it does not present a plant-pest risk.
If APHIS grants the petition for deregulation, the soybean and its progeny would no longer be regulated articles. The product could then be freely moved and planted without the requirement of permits or other regulatory oversight by APHIS.
Soybean line 356043 is engineered to be resistant to the herbicide glyphosate, marketed under brand names such as Roundup, Touchdown and Kleenup; and to acetolactate synthase-inhibiting herbicides, marketed under brand names such as Pursuit, Glean and Oust. Pioneer has also submitted documents to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in accordance with their regulations.
APHIS oversees the development and introduction (importation, interstate movement and environmental release) of GE organisms. APHIS regulates GE products in cooperation with FDA and EPA. Products are regulated according to their intended use, with some products regulated under more than one agency.
APHIS has been safely regulating GE organisms since 1986 and has overseen the deregulation of more than 70 GE crop lines.
Notice of this action was published in the Oct. 5 Federal Register.
APHIS is seeking comments on the petition and invites comments on the EA. Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Dec. 4. Send an original and three copies of postal mail or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0019, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. If you wish to submit a comment using the Internet, go to the Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov, select “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service” from the agency drop-down menu; then click on “Submit.” In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2007-0019 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically.
Comments are posted on the Regulations.gov Web site and may also be viewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th St. and Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Please call (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.
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