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Newsroom
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Contact: WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2011--The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing four regulatory notices and supporting scientific evaluations related to the agency’s oversight of genetically-engineered plants. Three notices will be published in the Federal Register on Dec. 27 and a fourth was published on Dec. 16. APHIS has made a determination of nonregulated status of two separate items: corn genetically engineered to better withstand drought conditions, as well as a soybean which has been genetically engineered to have tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate and produce higher levels of oleic acid. In addition, APHIS has prepared plant pest risk assessments (PPRA) and draft environmental assessments (EA) to address requests from developers seeking determinations of nonregulated status of two separate items: a soybean that has been genetically engineered to produce an omega-3 fatty acid and corn that has been genetically engineered to be resistant to the herbicide MON 87460 Corn: Nonregulated Status Based on the data submitted by Monsanto with its petition for deregulation, APHIS’ risk assessment and evaluation of scientific information, and review of the public comments received, APHIS has determined that the product is unlikely to present a plant pest risk and is therefore determining nonregulated status. Further information on this product and APHIS’ determination can be found at www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/news.shtml. MON 87705 Soybean: Nonregulated Status MON 87769 Soybean: For Public Comment APHIS' risk assessment indicates that MON 87769 is unlikely to pose a plant pest risk. APHIS is making available for public comment the Monsanto petition, the agency's PPRA, and the draft EA for the proposed determination of nonregulated status. These documents can be found at www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/news.shtml; the public comment period will close on Feb. 27, 2012. DAS-40278-9 Corn: For Public Comment APHIS’ risk assessment indicates that DAS-40278-9 corn is unlikely to pose a plant pest risk. APHIS is making available for public comment the Dow petition for nonregulated status, APHIS’ PPRA and draft EA. These documents can be found at www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/news.shtml; the public comment period will close on Feb. 27, 2012. # Note to reporters: USDA news releases, program announcements and media advisories are available on the Internet and through really simple syndication (RSS) feeds. Go to the APHIS news release page at www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom and click on the RSS feed link. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write:
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