The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking public comment on two documents related to the potential deregulation of a petunia variety developed using genetic engineering to produce orange flowers. The documents are a preliminary Plant Pest Risk Assessment (PPRA) that examines any plant pest risks and a draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) that analyzes the potential issues and environmental impacts.
APHIS is seeking public comment on these documents for 30 days. APHIS will thoroughly review and consider all public input submitted during the comment period, and use the information as we work to complete, and then publish, final environmental documents and our regulatory determination.
The preliminary PPRA and DEA can be accessed now on the News page of the BRS website. This notice may be viewed in today’s Federal Register. Beginning September 28, 2020, members of the public will be able to submit comments through October 28, 2020, through our online comment portal: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=APHIS-2019-0037.
Draft Environmental Assessment
Preliminary Plant Pest Risk Assessment
Preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact
Preliminary Determination of Regulatory Status
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.