USDA deregulates Corteva’s insect resistant and herbicide tolerant DP23211 Maize

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is inviting public comment on a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft Plant Pest Risk Assessment (PPRA). APHIS produced these documents in response to a petition from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. (Pioneer) seeking deregulation of a corn variety developed using genetic engineering to resist corn rootworm and tolerate glufosinate herbicides.

APHIS is seeking public comment on these documents for 30 days. We will thoroughly review and consider all public input submitted during the comment period and use this information to complete and publish final environmental documents, and our regulatory determination.

The draft EA, draft PPRA, and Federal Register notice can be viewed below.  Beginning tomorrow, members of the public will be able to submit comments through May 11, 2023, at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2020-0098.

• Petition

• Draft Environmental Assessment

• Draft Plant Pest Risk Assessment

• Federal Register Notice

• Submit a Comment (open April 11 – May 11, 2023)

Executive Summary

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. (Pioneer, a member of Corteva Agriscience Group of Companies) is submitting a Petition for Determination of Nonregulated Status for insect resistant and herbicide tolerant maize event DP-Ø23211-2, hereafter referred to as DP23211 maize. Pioneer requests a determination from USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that DP23211 maize, DP23211 maize progeny, and any crosses of DP23211 maize with other nonregulated maize no longer be considered regulated articles under 7 CFR §340.

DP23211 maize was genetically engineered to produce DvSSJ1 double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) and the IPD072Aa protein for control of corn rootworm (CRW) pests, the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) protein for tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium herbicides, and the phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) protein used as a selectable marker.