August 3, 2009
US group urges USDA to clarify authority over GM crops
The Biotechnology Industry Organisation (BIO) has asked the USDA to clarify its authority to regulate GM crops due to widespread confusion prompted by suggestions from the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that the agency lacks regulation authority.
The group wants to ensure the USDA continues playing the lead role of regulating the plants, in view of suggestions from some activists that EPA should oversee the issue if APHIS would not.
In a June 4 notice, APHIS said it lacks regulatory and statutory authority to regulate a Syngenta GM corn, and that neither the enzyme injected into the corn nor the corn itself is "living organisms' subject to PPA oversight.
This causes great concern that APHIS is ceding its authority to regulate many GM crops entirely, and they suggested that EPA may need to step in and regulate.
BIO, the main trade association for the biotech industry, wants APHIS to clarify its statement, saying that the notice has resulted in considerable confusion among stakeholders regarding the scope of APHIS authority.
BIO said the PPA provides great authority for the regulation of plant pests, potential plant pests and GM crops.
