Importation, Interstate Movement, and Release Into the Environment of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms; Proposed Rule
7 CFR Part 340
In early October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) released a proposed rule (Federal Register 73:60008-48) overhauling the agency's biotechnology regulations. The Union of Concerned Scientists is particularly concerned about proposed changes to the agency's oversight of crops that are genetically engineered to produce drugs and industrial chemicals (pharma crops). These crops are not meant to enter the food supply and could be dangerous to humans if consumed, yet they are being grown outdoors in human food staples like corn and rice.
UCS has long called on the agency to ban the outdoor production of pharma crops in crops also used for food, and pointed out the sensible alternatives that would allow employment of this technology without the risks. Yet the agency's proposal—rushed through in the waning days of the current administration—goes in the opposite direction, weakening oversight of these crops.
The USDA accepted public comments on the proposed rule through November 24. UCS supporters responded with over 14,000 comments criticizing the agency's proposal. In January, the USDA announced that it was reopening the comment period on this proposal in the face of the overwhelming public response in the fall and requested additional feedback on a few specific points.
Click here to read UCS comments and analysis submitted to the USDA before the initial November comment deadline.
