USDA seeks public input on impact statement for deregulation of maize developed using genetic engineering

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is inviting public comment on a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement to examine the potential environmental impacts that may result from approving a petition from Bayer CropScience U.S. (Bayer) seeking deregulation of a maize variety designated as MON 87429. This maize variety, which is intended for hybrid seed production, and was modified through genetic engineering to have resistance to the herbicides dicamba, glufosinate, quizalofop, 2,4-D, and tissue-specific glyphosate tolerance.

APHIS published Bayer’s petition on May 8, 2020, and solicited public comments for 60 days to aid the Agency in defining the scope and appropriate environmental documents to prepare for a fully informed decision on Bayer’s petition. In reviewing the public comments and information received during and after the comment period on Bayer’s petition, APHIS concluded that an environmental impact statement is necessary to assess the potential impacts to the environment from deregulating MON 87429 maize.

The Federal Register notice of APHIS’ NOI can be viewed now on the News page of the APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services website. Beginning April 28, 2021, members of the public will be able to submit comments through May 28, 2021, by going to www.regulations.gov and entering “APHIS-2020-0021” into the Search field.

Federal Register Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (NOI)