[Federal Register: February 13, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 29)]
[Notices]              
[Page 7504-7505]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13fe06-29]                        

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2006-0016]

Availability of environmental assessment for a proposed field trial of genetically engineered tall fescue and genetically engineered Italian ryegrass

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that an environmental assessment has been prepared for a proposed field trial using three transgenic grass lines. The trial consists of tall fescue plants that are genetically engineered for hygromycin resistance and that express the marker beta-glucuronidase, Italian ryegrass plants that are genetically engineered for hygromycin resistance, and Italian ryegrass plants that are genetically engineered to lower the expression of the pollen allergen gene, Lol p1, and that are also hygromycin resistant and express the marker beta-glucuronidase. The purpose of the field trial is to study pollen viability, outcrossing, and hybridization between the two types of grasses. The study will also examine the effect of down-regulating the Lol p1 gene. Data gained from this field experiment will also be used to evaluate current confinement practices for these species of transgenic grasses. The environmental assessment is available to the public for review and comment.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 15, 2006.

Full document in PDF format:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-1992.pdf