Public comment is being accepted on a petition from BASF Corporation seeking deregulation of a soybean variety developed using genetic engineering for resistance to soybean cyst nematode, a microscopic parasitic worm, and for herbicide tolerance.

The petition is available for review here and comments will be accepted through July 27, 2020.

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is interested in receiving comments regarding potential environmental and interrelated economic impacts to assist in its assessment of the petition as it relates to the National Environmental Policy Act.  The public comments received, along with the best available scientific documents, will assist APHIS in determining the appropriate environmental documents to prepare in accordance with its petition process to make a fully informed decision on the regulatory status of this soybean variety developed using genetic engineering.

Submit your comments in print or digital format:

Related:Soybean prices continue to slide

The petition and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​APHIS-2020-0023 or in our reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 7997039 before coming.

The petition is also available on the APHIS website at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/​aphis/​ourfocus/​biotechnology/​permits-notifications-petitions/​petitions/​petition-status under APHIS petition 19-317-01p.

For further information, contact Cindy Eck, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 851-3892, email: [email protected].

Source: USDA APHIS, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.