Jun 29, 2021

Arctic apple deregulation extension request, preliminary determination shared

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is inviting public comment on a request from Summerland, British Columbia, Canada-based Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. to extend deregulation to an apple variety (designated as PG451 Arctic Gala) developed using genetic engineering to prevent browning.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) previously reviewedand deregulated these traits in two other Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF) apple varieties developed using genetic engineering, referred to as GD743 Arctic Golden apple and GS784 Arctic Granny apple, respectively.

APHIS reviewed OSF’s extension request and prepared a draft plant pest risk similarity assessment (PPRSA) and preliminary determination, concluding that PG451 Arctic Gala apples are not more likely to pose a plant pest risk than the previously deregulated GD743 Arctic Golden and GS784 Arctic Granny apple varieties.

APHIS will carefully review all feedback on these documents received during the public comment period. If APHIS doesnot receive any new scientific information, the Agency will announce the extension of deregulation to PG451 Arctic Gala apples on its website.

The deregulation extension request, draft PPRSA and preliminary Determination can be accessed now on the News page of the APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services website.  This notice may be viewed in today’s Federal Register at: federalregister.gov/d/2021-13901. Beginning tomorrow, members of the public will be able to submit comments through July 30, 2021, by going to www.Regulations.gov and typing “APHIS-2021-0027” into the Search box.

Deregulation Extension Request

Draft Plant Pest Risk Similarity Assessment

Preliminary Determination