In October 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reviewed the following plants modified using genetic engineering to determine whether they posed an increased plant pest risk relative to non-modified comparators:
- SoilCea, sweet orange with improved resistance to citrus greening;
- Pioneer, corn with fungal disease resistance;
- GreenLab, Inc., modified corn to produce an enzyme that degrades cellulose and for herbicide resistance to glufosinate;
- Ohalo Genetics, modified almond for self-compatibility; and
- Norfolk Plant Sciences, modified tomato for altered fruit color and enhanced nutritional quality.
APHIS states that it found these modified plants were unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated plants. As a result, they are not subject to regulation under 7 C.F.R. Part 340. APHIS notes that “[f]rom a plant pest risk perspective, these modified plants may be safely grown and bred in the United States.” More information is available on APHIS’ regulatory status review (RSR) table.
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National Law Review, Volume XIV, Number 309