APS LEGISLATIVE ALERT EMAIL

 

DATE: March 11, 2003

TO: U.S. APS Members

FROM: APS Public Policy Board

SUBJECT: Legislative Alert - APHIS Permit Conditions

 

To all U.S. APS Members:

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is providing information to the public on technical aspects of its biotechnology regulatory program as it relates to permit conditions for field testing plants that have been genetically engineered. The Agency is also seeking public comment on ways to improve specific aspects of its program. The specific topics on which we are seeking comment include permit confinement measures, procedures to verify compliance, and ways to enhance the transparency of the permitting system. APHIS will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 9, 2003. A fact sheet comparing current permit requirements with the USDA APHIS Federal Register Notice is available at http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/03/aphisfactsheet030603.pdf