USDA EIS Study on GMO Regulations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently announced its intention to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) related to “potential changes to the regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered organisms” (GMOs). [81 Fed. Reg. 6225, 2/5/16] The EIS will evaluate potential alternatives to how GMOs are currently regulated. [See 7 CFR 340 – Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced through Genetic Engineering which Are Plant Pests or which There Is Reason to Believe Are Plant Pests] Alternatives include a “voluntary, non-regulatory consultative process”; a two-stage process to “analyze potential plant pest and/or noxious weed risks first” and “regulate only when appropriate and necessary; as well as substantially increasing oversight by requiring a permit for planting or transporting GMO crops. Comments will be received up to 3/7/16 via the regulations.gov portal – see Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.: Introduction of the Products of Bioetchnology.