WASHINGTON—USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking public comments on its plant pest risk assessment and a draft environmental assessment (EA) that addresses a request from the Monsanto Co. seeking a determination of nonregulated status for its MON 87705 soybean that has been genetically engineered to have a modified fatty acid profile and tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate.
MON 87705 produces soybean seeds with lower levels of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acid than those found in non-modified soybean seeds. MON 87705 also expresses tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup.
Comments are due on or before Aug. 29, 2011. Electronic comments can be submitted at www.regulations.gov. Written comments can be sent to Docket No. APHIS–2011–0046, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238.
