USDA to Hold Online Public Meeting on Freeze-Tolerant Eucalyptus

 

 

 

Dear Stakeholder,

Based on your interest and/or expertise in freeze-tolerant eucalyptus, we are sharing the following news from the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

 

USDA to Hold Online Public Meetings on Freeze-Tolerant Eucalyptus

 

ArborGen Inc., has developed a genetically engineered eucalyptus tree that is more tolerant of cold conditions than traditional varieties of the tree. The GE trait in the tree allows it to grow in additional areas of the country.  

 

Over the last several years, field tests involving the GE eucalyptus tree have been done under regulation by the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). ArborGen Inc. has now petitioned APHIS to deregulate its GE eucalyptus; if deregulated by APHIS, ArborGen, Inc. would then be free to commercialize its product. APHIS deregulates GE plants that have been under regulation by the Agency only after it conducts a thorough analysis that shows the GE plant does not pose a plant pest risk to agricultural crops or other plants and plant products.

 

On February 22, 2013, APHIS announced it was making available for public review and comment ArborGen Inc.’s petition for deregulation of its GE eucalyptus tree, and that the Agency would be preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) in support of its decision-making. More information on why APHIS has decided to prepare an EIS in support of its decision-making regarding this GE eucalyptus can be found at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/biotechnology/2013/faq_brs_combined_petitions.pdf.

 

In its announcement on February 22, APHIS also announced it would be convening two online public meetings to collect information and comments from individuals interested in this GE eucalyptus tree. APHIS is now sharing more information on these public meetings. The virtual meetings will be held on Wednesday, April 17 from 7:00-9:00 PM EDT, and

Thursday, April 18 from 4:00-6:00 PM EDT. We ask those interested in listening to, or speaking at the meetings to register in advance. Registration can be done through www.APHISVirtualMeetings.com. To provide written comments, visit: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=APHIS-2012-0030-0001.

 

Further information on the EIS and petition for deregulation are available at the virtual meetings website: www.APHISVirtualMeetings.com.