USDA Extends Comment Period for Part 340 Rulemaking Proposal

On February 10, USDA announced it would extend through June 19 the comment period for proposed revisions to Part 340. ASTA has been actively engaged in discussions with the agency throughout the rule-making process, and is in the process of preparing comments for submission by the deadline.

In general, ASTA is pleased that the proposal recognizes that some applications of gene editing result in plant varieties that are essentially equivalent to varieties developed through more traditional breeding methods, and treats these varieties accordingly.

To ensure continued innovation and the movement of seed around the globe, it’s critical that U.S. federal policy is clear and science-based, and that U.S. government officials actively engage with international trading partners throughout the rulemaking process.

Read ASTA’s January 18 press statement.