The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has conducted assessments on a variety of genetically engineered plants to determine if they pose a heightened risk of plant pests compared to their conventional counterparts. The evaluated plants include:
A herbicide-resistant sugar beet developed by Bayer Crop Science.
A low-glucosinolate, low-erucic acid, low-fiber, low-polyunsaturated fatty acid, high-oleic acid, and reduced seed shattering pennycress strain by CoverCress.
A similar pennycress variety developed by Hjelle Advisors for CoverCress, also featuring reduced levels of glucosinolates, erucic acid, and fiber in seeds.
A soybean engineered by Moolec Science to contain meat protein in seeds and exhibit antibiotic resistance.
Following comprehensive assessments, APHIS has determined that these genetically modified plants are not expected to heighten plant pest risks in comparison to conventionally cultivated plants. As a result, they will not be subject to regulation under 7 CFR part 340, enabling their safe cultivation and propagation within the United States from a plant pest risk perspective.