b'was notified of the proposal and comments were invited when itES: What are the next steps, and when could we see the was published. APHIS intends to continue its engagement interna- approval of the revisions?tionally on the proposed regulatory revisions.FLC: We received over 6,150 public comments to the proposed rule. We are in the process of reviewing and considering these ES: In June 2019, the USDA proactively proposed acomments as we prepare the final rule. In the interim, we con-rule. What were the main differences with the currenttinue to operate under our existing regulation clarified by the regulations? Secretary of Agricultures March 28, 2018, statement that USDA FLC: Some key highlights of the proposed rule are as follows: does not plan to regulate plants that could otherwise have been - To exempt certain categories of modified plants becausedeveloped through traditional breeding techniques as long as they could be produced through conventional breeding tech- they are not developed using plant pests. niques and thus are unlikely to pose a greater plant pest risk thanSuch products of biotechnology are likely to pose no greater conventionally bred crops. plant pest risk than their traditionally bred comparators. USDA - To exempt modified plants with a plant-trait-mechanism ofcurrently has a system in place, the Am I Regulated? (AIR) action (MOA) combinations that we have already evaluated andprocess, which allows the interested parties to seek confirmation shown not to present a plant pest risk. of regulatory status of a genetically engineered organism from - Set forth a regulatory status review process to determine theUSDA. Guidance for submission, as well as AIR letters of inquiry need for regulatory oversight by appraising the plant pest riskand APHIS responses are available online. Since 2011, we have posed by modified plants by evaluating (1) the basic biology ofreviewed and responded to over 80 AIR letters of inquiry, of the plant prior to modification; (2) the trait that resulted from thewhich over 80% have come from academic and small business. genetic modification; and (3) the biochemical mode of actionMany developers have used this process to inquire on the regula-conferring the trait. If one or more plausible pathways to planttory status of genome edited varieties.SWpest risk are identified, a Plant Pest Risk Assessment (PPRA) will be completed to characterize the potential for plant pest risk. 118/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2019'