APHIS Extends Comment Period On GMO Regulations And Plant Pest Regulations

In the February 10, 2017, Federal Register, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ("APHIS") extended the comment period for a proposed rule regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered organisms ("GMOs") in order to update the regulations in response to advances in genetic engineering and understanding of the plant pest and noxious weed risk posed by GMOs, thereby reducing the burden for regulated entities whose organisms pose no plant pest or noxious weed risks. Comments are now due June 19, 2017. In addition, in the February 13, 2017, Federal Register, APHIS extended the comment period for a proposed rule regarding the movement and environmental release of biological control organisms and to establish regulations to allow the importation and movement in interstate commerce of certain types of plant pests without restriction by granting permit exceptions. The proposed rule would also revise