All Knowledge & Insights By Date

On August 28, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) advised the public of its determination that Darling 54 American Chestnut (Castanea dentata), which was developed using genetic engineering for tolerance to the fungal pathogen, Cryphonectria parasitica, is no longer considered regulated. 91 Fed Reg. 55510. According to the notice, APHIS’ determination is based on its evaluation of information and data submitted...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced on August 18, 2026, that it has received a petition from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. seeking a determination of nonregulated status for COR-23134-4 soybean (Glycine max), referred to as COR23134, which has been developed using genetic engineering to express Cry1B.34.1, Cry1B.61.1, and IPD083Cb proteins to protect against certain susceptible lepidopteran pests, and the GM-HRA protein...

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has petitioned USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeking a determination of nonregulated status for two European plum (Prunus domestica) lines (34 plum and 157 plum) that have been developed using genetic engineering to promote early and near-continuous blooming. 91 Fed. Reg. 52663. According to APHIS, the petition states that the information provided indicates that 34 plum and 157 plum are unlikely to pose a plant pest...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced on May 19, 2026, that it is extending deregulation to a corn variety, designated as DP51291, developed using genetic engineering for insect-resistance and glufosinate-ammonium tolerance by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. (Pioneer). APHIS notes that it previously deregulated these traits in another Pioneer corn variety, DP23211 corn. APHIS prepared a Plant Pest Risk Similarity Assessment...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a Request for Information (RFI) on May 15, 2026, to solicit input on regulatory considerations related to the review of modified organisms subject to the Plant Protection Act (PPA). 91 Fed. Reg. 27868. According to the notice, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) wishes to explore alternative frameworks to regulate genetically engineered (GE) organisms under the plant pest provisions of the PPA, “to ensure that...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on April 7, 2026, the creation of the USDA Guidance Portal, an online searchable, indexed database that contains guidance documents issued by USDA and its agencies that are currently in effect. Users can search all guidance documents in the library, or filter documents by date, agency (such as the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)), or topic (including biotechnology). USDA notes that the guidance documents lack the force and effect...

On March 6, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it received a request to extend its determination of nonregulated status of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.’s DP23211 insect-resistant and glufosinate-ammonium-tolerant maize (corn) to DP51291 maize (corn). 91 Fed. Reg. 11028. APHIS states that similar to DP23211 corn, “DP51291 corn was genetically engineered to express the IPD072Aa protein for control of...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced on March 27, 2026, that it determined that MON 95275 maize (corn), developed using genetic engineering to produce two insecticidal proteins and a double-stranded Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) transcript to provide protection from feeding damage caused by targeted coleopteran (corn rootworm) insect pests, is no longer considered regulated. 91 Fed. Reg. 14805. APHIS states that its determination is...

In February 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published several petitions seeking a determination of nonregulated status for products developed using genetic engineering. Each petition states that the information provided indicates that the product is unlikely to pose a plant pest risk and therefore should not be regulated. In each case, APHIS prepared a draft plant pest risk assessment (PPRA) to assess the plant pest risk of...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced on December 16, 2025, that its Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) has rescheduled its annual stakeholder meeting for February 26, 2026. The meeting will be held in-person at the National Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Avenue Beltsville, Maryland, with an option for virtual attendance. According to APHIS, attendees will receive updates about: Highlights from fiscal year 2025; Looking...