APHIS Issues Regulatory Status Review Responses: ZeaKal, Inc., Soybean and Suntory Flowers Limited Chrysanthemum

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently reviewed a soybean plant and a chrysanthemum plant modified using genetic engineering to determine whether they present an increased pest risk as compared to unmodified plants. APHIS posted Regulatory Status Review (RSR) responses on our website as required under 7 CFR part 340. 

ZeaKal, Inc., modified the soybean plant to increase seed oil and protein content. Suntory Flowers Limited modified the chrysanthemum plant for altered flower color. 

In both cases, APHIS found these plants unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated soybean and chrysanthemum plants. As a result, they are not subject to regulation under 7 CFR part 340, and these plants may be safely grown and used in breeding in the United States. 

Our responses are based on information from the developers and our:

• familiarity with plant varieties,
• knowledge of the traits, and
• understanding of the modifications.

Under 7 CFR part 340, developers may request a RSR when they believe a modified plant is not subject to regulation. APHIS reviews the modified plant and considers whether it might pose an increased plant pest risk compared to a nonregulated plant. If our review finds a plant is unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk relative to the comparator plant, APHIS issues a response indicating the plant is not subject to the regulations. You can view the RSR requests and our response letters on the APHIS website.

Original source can be found here.