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[SANET-MG] USDA/APHIS deregulates LLRICE601



USDA/APHIS went ahead and deregulated LLRICE601 in an apparent move to support the German Company who are being sued by US Farmers. The USDA reply to the numerous comments from the public was short and sweet and ignored most significant issues. One crucial issue , the frivolous use of confidential business information (CBI) by the corporation to conceal most of the studies in in their petition was replied to by USDA: "The APHIS policy on CBI was published in 50 F.R. 38561. That policy requires information that is: 1) asserted to be a trade secret by the applicant; or 2) established by review to potentially cause substantial competitive harm, will be released only if required by statute or court order or otherwise required by law. I understand that to mean the Bayer can conceal everything on the basis of trade secret and USDA/APHIS is a powerless pawn in dealing with frivolous designations. However, the recent company claim that the LLRICE601 pollution was an "Act of God" may mean that the company had bin bid by the Lord to keep their dealing secret! That is, of course, a difficult position to deal with on account of the wrath thing. This may not be the first time that science has been compromised by religious authorities, but it is certainly the first time that the religious authorities were housed in companies.

Rachel Iadicicco (301) 734-3255
Jerry Redding (202) 720-4623
USDA DEREGULATES LINE OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED RICE
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24, 2006--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced that after a thorough review of scientific evidence it will deregulate genetically engineered LLRICE601 based on the fact that it is as safe as its traditionally bred counterparts. The final environmental assessment is available on the APHIS web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/ 06_23401p_ea.pdf and will be published in the Federal Register on December 1. On July 31, 2006 Bayer CropScience notified USDA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the company had detected trace amounts of this regulated rice in commercial long-grain rice. FDA has concluded that the presence of LLRICE601 in the food and feed supply poses no safety concerns. An investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the release and whether any USDA regulations were violated is nearly complete. Deregulation, or regulatory approval of a particular product, is handled separately from determinations of compliance with APHIS regulations. USDA has approved LLRICE601 for deregulation, while an investigation of compliance is on-going. Bayer submitted a petition to APHIS to deregulate LLRICE601, which was engineered to be tolerant to herbicides marketed under the brand name LibertyLink. APHIS deregulated two similar LibertyLink rice lines, LLRICE62 and LLRICE06, in 1999 after thorough safety evaluations and is extending its deregulation from the original two lines to include LLRICE601. This protein has been scientifically reviewed and approved for use in a dozen countries around the world. APHIS published a Sept. 8 notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment on Bayer’s petition. The public comment period closed Oct. 10. APHIS oversees the development and introduction (importation, interstate movement, and environmental release) of GE organisms. Deregulated items and their progeny are considered safe for the environment and can be grown without APHIS oversight. Developers may also need to consult with FDA and the Environmental Protection Agency before commercialization.

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