BRS Meetings
This page offers information on upcoming biotechnology meetings and past events APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) has led or led in coordination with other organizations.
Upcoming Meetings
Past Meetings and Webinars
On February 26, 2026, BRS held our annual Stakeholder Meeting, which provided highlights from fiscal year 2025, key updates and plans for fiscal year 2026, and program efficiencies.
Meeting Materials
- Agenda (109.65 KB)
- Handout: Resources and BRS Organization (351.69 KB)
- Presentation (7.98 MB)
- Transcript (429.18 KB)
- Watch the Meeting
On November 14, 2024, BRS held our annual Stakeholder Meeting to provide highlights from fiscal year 2024, priorities for fiscal year 2025, the Final Notice for Regulatory Exemptions, and updates on our business process improvement initiatives.
Meeting Materials
- Agenda (108.73 KB)
- Presentation (19.47 MB)
- Handout: FY 2024 Data Snapshot (307.27 KB)
On November 15, 2023, BRS held our annual Stakeholder Meeting to provide highlights from fiscal year 2023 and key updates and plans for fiscal year 2024, including regulatory exemptions, permitting, regulatory status reviews, and our international efforts.
Meeting Materials
- Agenda (62.59 KB)
- Handout: FY 2023 Data Snapshot (684.03 KB)
- Presentation (7.11 MB)
- Transcript (330.95 KB)
- Watch the Meeting
On December 8, 2022, BRS held our annual Stakeholder Meeting virtually and onsite. We provided updates on the implementation of the revised biotechnology regulations, including the new Regulatory Status Review and Confirmation Request processes. We also shared other FY 2022 activities, including permitting, questions and answers for microbes, and international efforts, and priorities for FY 2023.
Meeting Materials
- Agenda (129.29 KB)
- Handout: APHIS eFile Update (143 KB)
- Presentation (3.31 MB)
- Questions and Answers (191.83 KB)
- Transcript (318.56 KB)
- Watch the Meeting
On November 18, 202, BRS held our annual stakeholder meeting to share information on APHIS' revised biotechnology regulations, the new electronic permitting system APHIS eFile, a review of fiscal year 2021, and our FY 2022 priorities. We also held an optional session on APHIS eFile that included a demo of APHIS eFile's Permitting Assistant, an overview of enhancements coming in 2022, and location requirements.
Meeting Materials
- Agenda (88.9 KB)
- Presentation (1.49 MB)
- Handouts (889.55 KB)
- Transcript (270.03 KB)
- Watch the Meeting
On December 9, 2020, BRS held our annual stakeholder meeting. We provided information on our ongoing efforts to implement the new Sustainable, Ecological, Consistent, Uniform, Responsible, Efficient (SECURE) biotechnology regulations; a look back at FY 2020; and a look ahead to our FY 2021 priorities.
Meeting Materials
- Agenda (80.95 KB)
- Handout: APHIS Biotechnology in Numbers—2020 Highlights (313.6 KB)
- Handout: APHIS eFile Program Updates (587.9 KB)
- Presentation (751.94 KB)
- Transcript (322.25 KB)
On December 5, 2019, BRS held our annual Stakeholder Meeting. We provided information on past year activities and a look forward to FY 2020, including updates on the proposed 340 SECURE rule for biotechnology regulations; APHIS eFile; and compliance, regulatory, and policy activities. We also introduced our new Deputy Administrator, Bernadette Juarez.
Meeting Materials
- Agenda and Handouts (1.06 MB)
- Presentation (4.22 MB)
- Transcript (292.06 KB)
On November 7, 2018, BRS held our annual Stakeholder Meeting, which included two sessions. The morning session covered current BRS activities, including information on modern biotechnology techniques. The afternoon session featured a demonstration of our new APHIS eFile permitting system that replaced our ePermits system in 2019.
Meeting Materials
- Handouts (558.21 KB)
- Presentation (6.87 MB)
- Transcript (477.18 KB)
On March 29–April 7, 2022, BRS held a series of webinar trainings on the APHIS eFile system. The trainings showed BRS applicants how to use the updated permit application functionality in APHIS eFile, which was released on March 28, 2022. Two training topics were available, including "Submitting Permit Applications in APHIS eFile" and "Post Submission Activities."
View Training Resources
On September 28, 2021, BRS held a webinar to provide an overview of the draft Regulatory Status Review (RSR) Guide and an opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback and ask questions.
Webinar Materials
- Draft RSR Guide (548.41 KB)
- Presentation (442.57 KB)
- Questions and Answers (160.28 KB)
- Watch the Webinar
On April 5–12, 2021, APHIS hosted a series of webinar trainings on our new APHIS eFile system. These trainings were designed to support applicants’ transition to APHIS eFile. Four training topics were available, including an "Introduction to APHIS eFile," "Submitting Permit Applications," "Post Submission Activities," and "Compliance."
On June 24 and August 5, 2020, APHIS hosted technical webinars to assist developers with submitting requests to confirm that plants meet established criteria for regulatory exemption. APHIS reviewed the confirmation of exemption process and provided stakeholders the opportunity to ask questions.
View Confirmations Webinar Presentation (140.22 KB)
BQMS Foundations Workshop
On September 30, 2019, BRS held a Biotechnology Quality Management Support (BQMS) program webinar as part of its BQMS Foundations Workshop series. The workshop familiarized participants with the BQMS tools to enhance compliance with current biotechnology regulations at 7 CFR part 340 regarding the import, interstate movement, and environmental release of regulated GE organisms.
BQMS and Volunteer Monitoring Information Webinar
On September 20, 2018, the BQMS program hosted a webinar on monitoring for volunteers as part of its “Building Upward” webinar series. The webinar provided details and supporting examples on the relationship between volunteer monitoring activities and compliance with APHIS’ biotechnology regulations.
BQMS and Confidential Business Information Webinar
On March 29, 2018, the BQMS program hosted an interactive webinar to enhance understanding of Confidential Business Information (CBI). BRS provided a brief overview of the BQMS Program and described the fundamentals of claiming CBI when submitting documents such as permit applications, petitions for nonregulated status, notifications, and “Am I Regulated?” inquiries.
View Presentation (1.28 MB)
On March 8, 2018, BRS held a webinar to familiarize participants with changes to standard supplemental conditions for permits authorized under the biotechnology regulations at 7 CFR part 340 regarding the import, interstate movement, and environmental release of regulated GE organisms. The changes were part of efforts to ensure clear, consistent, and enforceable requirements in authorized biotechnology permits that protect the ability of American agricultural producers to prosper.
Webinar Materials
- Overview of Improvements to Supplemental Permit Conditions (138.12 KB)
- Presentation (519.27 KB)
Questions?
If you have questions, email us at brs.stakeholders@usda.gov.