USDA Seeks Public Input on Draft Environmental Documents for Deregulation of American Chestnut Developed Using Genetic Engineering

Media Contact:
Rick Coker
(301) 851-4091
richard.s.coker@usda.gov

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is reopening public comment on a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) and draft plant pest risk assessment (PPRA) prepared in response to a petition seeking deregulation of an American chestnut variety, known as Darling 54. The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) produced this variety using genetic engineering for tolerance to chestnut blight

APHIS published the draft EIS for public comment on November 10, 2022. On December 12, 2023, SUNY-ESF informed APHIS that the plant tested was different than the plant listed in the petition. SUNY-ESF submitted a revised petition incorporating name corrections and providing clarification regarding the plant, additional updates and research findings related to molecular characterization, and other minor technical corrections. 

The Federal Register notice of availability of the draft EIS and draft PPRA can be viewed now on the APHIS News page. Beginning June 6, 2025, members of the public can submit comments for a period of 45 days through July 21, 2025, by going to www.regulations.gov and entering “APHIS-2020-0030” into the Search field.