Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

06/23/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/23/2021 07:21

Availability of Preliminary Environmental Documents for Petition to Deregulate Corn Developed Using Genetic Engineering

Published: Jun 23, 2021

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking public comment on four documents prepared in response to a petition from Agrivida, Inc., seeking deregulation of a corn variety developed using genetic engineering to produce phytase enzyme for nutritionally enhanced animal feed. The documents are a draft Plant Pest Risk Assessment (PPRA) that examines any plant pest risks, a preliminary Determination of Nonregulated Status, a Draft Environmental Assessment that analyzes the potential issues and environmental impacts, and a preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

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.

These documents can be accessed now on the News page of the BRS website. This notice may be viewed in Thursday's Federal Register. Beginning June 24, 2021, members of the public will be able to submit comments through July 26, 2021, at: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=APHIS-2019-0084.

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.

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