The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking public comment on four documents prepared in response to a petition from Agrivida, Inc., seeking deregulation of a corn variety developed using genetic engineering to produce phytase enzyme for nutritionally enhanced animal feed. The documents are a draft Plant Pest Risk Assessment (PPRA) that examines any plant pest risks, a preliminary Determination of Nonregulated Status, a Draft Environmental Assessment that analyzes the potential issues and environmental impacts, and a preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). APHIS is seeking public comment on these documents for 30 days. APHIS will thoroughly review and consider all public input submitted during the comment period, and use the information as we work to complete, and then publish, final environmental documents and our regulatory determination. These documents can be accessed now on the News page of the BRS website. This notice may be viewed in Thursday’s Federal Register. Beginning June 24, 2021, members of the public will be able to submit comments through July 26, 2021, at: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=APHIS-2019-0084.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
