The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced the deregulation of a canola
variety genetically modified (GM) to contain high levels of docosahexaenoic
acid (DHA), which is an omega-3 fatty acid. The GM canola is from Nuseed
Americas Inc.
On the Determination of Nonregulated Status notice, USDA APHIS stated that
the GM canola is no longer considered a regulated article under their
regulations governing the introduction of certain genetically organisms.
APHIS authorizations under these regulations will no longer be required for
environmental release, interstate movement, or importation of DHA canola and
its progeny. Importation of DHA canola seeds, other propagative material, or
grain for consumption will still be subject to APHIS foreign quarantine
notices.
APHIS has conducted a thorough review of the potential environmental impacts
and prepared a final environmental assessment. The final plant pest risk
assessment of APHIS states that this variety of GM canola is unlikely to
pose a plant pest risk to agricultural crops or other plants in the United
States.
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www.aphis.usda.gov]