[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
[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.
********************************************************
To unsubscribe from SANET-MG:
1- Visit http://lists.sare.org/archives/sanet-mg.html to unsubscribe or;
2- Send a message to <listserv@sare.org> from the address subscribed to the list. Type "unsubscribe sanet-mg" in the body of the message.
Visit the SANET-MG archives at: http://lists.sare.org/archives/sanet-mg.html.
Questions? Visit http://www.sare.org/about/sanetFAQ.htm.
For more information on grants and other resources available through the SARE program, please visit http://www.sare.org.