USDA APHIS Announces Review of Genetically Modified Crops

On June 27, 2024, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it recently reviewed the following genetically engineered crops to determine whether they pose a greater risk of plant pests compared to unengineered comparator species:

• Plants modified to change product quality:
  • CoverCress, two cresses;
  • Hjelle’s advisors, rice; and
  • Tools, soybeans;
• A plant modified to increase yield:
• Plant modified to change flowering and growth pattern:

APHIS concludes that these engineered plants are not likely to pose a greater risk to plant pests than other cultivated plants. As a result, they are not subject to regulation under 7 CFR Part 340. EPA notes that “from a plant pest risk perspective, these engineered plants can be safely grown and maintained in the United States.” These regulatory status review requests (RSRs) and APHIS responses are available in the AHPIS RSR table.