USDA seeks public input on draft environmental 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 comments for 45 days on a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) and draft plant pest risk assessment (PPRA). APHIS prepared these documents in response to a petition from Bayer CropScience U.S. seeking to deregulate their MON 87429 corn cultivar.

This cultivar was produced through genetic engineering to tolerate the herbicides dicamba, glufosinate, quizalofop, 2,4-D, and tissue-specific glyphosate. Bayer states in their petition that the MON 87429 cultivar is intended for hybrid seed production and is unlikely to pose plant pest risks.

The draft EIS examines potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts that may result from approving Bayer’s petition to deregulate their MON 87429 corn cultivar. The draft PPRA examines potential plant pest risks.

APHIS published Bayer’s petition on May 8, 2020, and solicited public comments for 60 days. APHIS used those comments to define the scope and determine the appropriate environmental documents to prepare for a fully informed decision on Bayer’s petition. In reviewing the public comments and information received on Bayer’s petition, APHIS concluded that an environmental impact statement rather than an environmental assessment is necessary to assess the potential impacts to the environment from deregulating MON 87429 maize.

On April 28, 2021, as part of its scoping process, APHIS published a notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for Bayer’s petition for nonregulated status for MON 87429 corn. APHIS requested public comment to help identify alternatives and relevant information, studies, and/or analyses APHIS should consider in the draft EIS. APHIS evaluated all comments received on the NOI for the EIS. A summary of the comments received and APHIS’ response to those comments are provided in Appendix 1 of the draft EIS. 

The Federal Register notice of APHIS’ draft EIS and draft PPRA can be viewed at the links below. Beginning March 22, 2024, members of the public will be able to submit comments through May 6, 2024 at the link below. 

View Petition

View Draft Environmental Impact Statement

View the Draft Plant Pest Risk Assessment

View FR Notice