Availability of Petition for Deregulation of Corn Developed Using Genetic Engineering

November 2, 2020

Dear BRS Stakeholder,

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is inviting public comment on a petition from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. (Pioneer) seeking deregulation of a corn variety developed using genetic engineering for resistance to corn rootworm and tolerance to glufosinate herbicides. The petition will be available for public review and comment for 60 days.

APHIS is interested in receiving comments regarding potential environmental and interrelated economic impacts to assist in our assessment of the petition as it relates to the National Environmental Policy Act. The public comments received, along with the best available scientific documents, will assist APHIS in determining the appropriate environmental documents to prepare in accordance with our petition process to make a fully informed decision on the regulatory status of this corn variety developed using genetic engineering. 　

The petition and Federal Register notice can be viewed now on the News page of the APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services website. Beginning tomorrow, members of the public will be able to submit comments through January 4, 2021, at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2020-0098.