APHIS Seeks Public Comment On Petition To Deregulate Corn Variety Developed Using Genetic Engineering

On March 6, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it received a request to extend its determination of nonregulated status of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.'s DP23211 insect-resistant and glufosinate-ammonium-tolerant maize (corn) to DP51291 maize (corn). 91 Fed. Reg. 11028. APHIS states that similar to DP23211 corn, "DP51291 corn was genetically engineered to express the IPD072Aa protein for control of certain susceptible corn rootworm pests, the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase protein as a selectable marker and for tolerance to glufosinate herbicide, and the phosphomannose isomerase protein as a selectable marker." APHIS prepared a plant pest risk similarity assessment (PPRSA) to compare DP51291 maize to the antecedent DP23211 maize. After analyzing information submitted by Pioneer, references provided in the extension request, peer-reviewed publications, supporting documentation prepared for the