USDA Deregulates Citrus Greening Disease-Resistant Carrizo Rootstock Developed Using Genetic Engineering

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WASHINGTON, JUNE 30, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is deregulating Soil Culture Solutions’ (SoilCea) CarriCea Carrizo citrus rootstock. This citrus rootstock was developed using genetic engineering to resist citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing (HLB)). After a thorough review, APHIS has determined that the modified citrus rootstock is unlikely to pose a greater plant pest risk than the unmodified comparator and therefore is no longer subject to our regulation governing the introduction of certain organisms developed using genetic engineering. 


Our determination is based on our evaluation of the following: 

  • Information and data SoilCea submitted in its petition for deregulation 
  • Available scientific data 
  • Public comments received in response to the February 11, 2026, Federal Register notice announcing the availability of the petition and draft plant pest risk assessment (PPRA)
     

We are publishing the Determination of Nonregulated Status, PPRA. These documents support APHIS’ review and analysis of any potential plant pest impacts associated with deregulating SoilCea’s CarriCea Carrizo citrus rootstock, developed using genetic engineering to resist citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing (HLB)). 


These documents and the Federal Register notice will be available on the Regulations.gov website July 1, 2026, at this  link (https://www.regulations.gov/search?filter=APHIS-2025-1067)