Washington, DC
February 26, 2007
The U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service is extending the public
comment period for a petition to deregulate MIR604, a corn
genetically engineered (GE) to be resistant to corn rootworm
insects. This 15-day extension will allow additional time for
the submission of public comments on the draft environmental
assessment (EA).
The petition for deregulation, submitted by Syngenta Seeds,
Inc., is in accordance with APHIS’ regulations concerning the
introduction of GE organisms and products. APHIS prepared a
draft EA to determine whether deregulating the corn could have a
significant impact on the environment.
APHIS makes a determination of nonregulated status only when it
can conclude that the organism is as safe for the environment as
its traditionally bred counterparts. If APHIS grants the
petition for deregulation, the corn and its progeny would no
longer be regulated articles. The product could then be freely
moved and planted without the requirement of permits or other
regulatory oversight by APHIS.
MIR604 is also subject to regulation by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Syngenta has
submitted documents to EPA and FDA to address these regulations.
APHIS oversees the development and introduction (importation,
interstate movement and environmental release) of GE organisms.
APHIS regulates GE products in cooperation with EPA and FDA.
Products are regulated according to their intended use, with
some products regulated under more than one agency.
APHIS has been safely regulating GE organisms since 1986 and has
overseen the deregulation of more than 70 GE crop lines.
Notice of the petition for deregulation of MIR604 and public
comment period was published in the Jan. 10 Federal Register.
Notice of the reopening of the public comment period is
published in the Feb. 22 Federal Register.
APHIS is seeking comments on the EA and invites comments on the
petition. Consideration will be given to comments on the EA
received on or before March 9 and to comments on the petition
received on or before March 12. Send an original and three
copies of
postal mail or commercial delivery comments to Docket No.
APHIS-2006-0157, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD,
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale,
Md. 20737-1238. If you wish to submit a comment using the
Internet, go to the Federal eRulemaking portal at
http://www.regulations.gov,
select “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service” from the
agency drop-down menu; then click on “Submit.” In the Docket ID
column, select APHIS-2006-0157 to submit or view public comments
and to view supporting and related materials available
electronically.
Comments are posted on the Regulations.gov Web site and may also
be viewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th St. and
Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To
facilitate entry into the comment reading room, please call
(202) 690-2817. |
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