AreaUnited States of America

Commodity GroupOilseeds, oils and meals

CommodityGM crops

Date01/11/2017

Policy CategoryOther

Policy InstrumentGMO policy

DescriptionReconsidered earlier proposals to revise the country\'s biotechnology regulations.

NotesThe U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), decided to withdraw a change to its biotechnology regulations put forward earlier this year (see MPPU Feb.’17). APHIS is responsible for reviewing GM crops to determine whether they pose risks to domestic agriculture. The modifications the agency had proposed represented a major change from APHIS’ existing ‘regulate first/analyze later’ approach to one that entailed assessing risks first and then regulating organism that did present risks. Reportedly, after receiving many comments objecting to the scope of the proposed change, APHIS decided to re-engage with stakeholders to determine the most effective, science-based approach for regulating GMO products while protecting plant health.