US EPA to approve new GM papaya

The U.S. EPA is going to approve the registration of a new plant-incorporated protectant (PIP) active ingredient Papaya Ringspot Virus Resistance Gene (Papaya Ringspot Virus Coat Protection Gene) in X17-2 Papaya. The application for registration was submitted by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) who developed the Papaya Line X17-2.

 

Papaya X17-2 is genetically transformed for resistance to Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRSV). PRSV is the most important papaya pathogen and a major limiting factor in commercial papaya production in the world. All major production areas in the Western Hemisphere [Brazil, the Caribbean region, Mexico and USA (Florida and Hawaii)] and Eastern Hemisphere (the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and China) are affected. Once introduced to a locality, PRSV becomes established in weeds or perennial plants. PRSV has never been successfully eradicated from any region. The aphid vectors involved in dissemination of PRSV are found worldwide. Thus, even in new PRSV-free papaya trees are planted in an area where PRSV occurs, they soon become infected.

 

Given that this PIP contains a new active ingredient and may be an action of significant interest, the EPA is requesting comments on its overall proposal to register such PIP and the underlying risk assessments, as specified below, that are associated with this proposal. The proposal will be available for a 15-day public comment period from Dec 17, 2015 to Jan 04, 2016.