Biotechnology Related Websites

Other APHIS Permits

• ePermits Access
  You may need a PPQ or VS permit in addition to a BRS permit.
• USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ)
  Protects agriculture and the environment against pest and disease threats.
• USDA APHIS Veterinary Services (VS)
  Protects and improves the health, quality, and marketability of our nation's animals (including various wildlife), animal products, and veterinary biologics.

USDA Agencies Involved in Biotechnology 

• USDA Biotechnology Overview
  USDA supports the safe and appropriate use biotechnology.
• Agricultural Marketing Service--National Organics Program
  Provides information on organic standards and labeling.
• Agricultural Research Service (ARS)--National Agricultural Library Biotechnology Information Center
  Conducts biotechnology research.
• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
  Ensures the safe development of agricultural biotechnology through regulation.
• National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
  Provides funding and program leadership for activities in food and agricultural biotechnology.
• Economic Research Service (ERS)
  Conducts research on the economic aspects of the use of genetically engineered organisms and addresses economic issues related to the marketing, labeling, and trading of biotechnology-derived products.
• Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)--Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Modern Biotechnology
  Elaborates standards, guidelines, or recommendations for foods derived from modern biotechnology.
• Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS)
  Supports the overseas acceptance of biotechnology.
• Grain Inspection and Packing and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) Biotechnology Reference Laboratory
  Operates a biotechnology reference laboratory that evaluates the capability and reliability of biotech testing programs.

U.S. Biotechnology Regulatory Agencies - Other Federal Agencies Involved in Biotechnology 

• United States Regulatory Agencies Unified Biotechnology Website

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• Biopesticides
  EPA regulates pesticides, including biopesticides, through a registration program to assure that their use will not pose unreasonable risks of harm to human health and the environment.
• Biotechnology Program Under Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
  EPA regulates certain microbial biotechnology products to ensure that they are safely developed for commercial use in a broad range of industrial and environmental applications.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

• FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)
  • FDA CFSAN Guidance on Consultation Procedures: Foods Derived From New Plant Varieties
    FDA's CFSAN conducts voluntary food safety evaluations for those who wish to commercialize genetically engineered crops to be used for food or feed.
  • Search Completed Biotechnology Consultations on Food from GE Plant Varieties
  • FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM)--Biotechnology Information
    FDA's CVM is evaluating the possible regulation of biotechnology products from plants, microbes and animals

Other Sites 

• • Information Systems for Biotechnology - Virginia Tech/National Biological Impact Assessment Program (NBIAP)
    Virginia Tech provides APHIS data in a searchable, user-friendly format. Data can be queried by gene, organism, institution and more.
  • Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Harmonization of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology
    Strives for international harmonization of regulatory oversight in modern biotechnology to ensure environmental health and safety and avoid trade barriers.
  • The Council on Environmental Quality: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
    Signed into law by President Nixon on January 1, 1970, NEPA was established to emphasize the Federal Government's leading role in preserving and enhancing the environment. NEPA advanced an interdisciplinary approach to Federal project planning and decisionmaking through environmental impact assessment.
    • Citizens Guide to NEPA: Having Your Voice Heard
    • Collaboration in NEPA: A Handbook for Practitioners

Additional Information