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Regulatory Activities |
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International Activities |
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New At the BRS Website |
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Information and Resources |
Program Goals |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) program regulates the field testing, movement, and importation of genetically engineered (GE) organisms that are known to be, or could be plant pests. BRS issues various types of permits for each of these activities. A Compliance & Enforcement program inspects, audits, and oversees activities under the permit process. BRS also evaluates petitions for deregulation to ensure that products being considered for removal from regulation do not pose a threat to U.S. agricultural or environmental health.
Other BRS activities include:
Coordinating domestic regulation and policy regarding GE organisms among U.S. agencies, particularly with USDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Encouraging the safe development and use of agricultural biotechnology products through international activities such as agreements, organizations, workshops, bilateral and multilateral negotiations, and regulatory capacity building.
Communicating with the public through press releases, federal register notices, workshops, outreach materials, and other means.
Protecting America’s agricultural and natural resources by ensuring the safe development of GE organisms using a science-based regulatory framework.
Other APHIS websites contain information on:
Permits for other types of genetically-engineered organisms include transgenic arthropods and applications for veterinary biologics.
Permits for Non-genetically engineered articles include Plant pests, Plants and plant products, and Animal and animal products.