USDA Updates List of Genetically Modified Petunias

Last week, the Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) at United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated its list of petunias that may have been unknowingly genetically modified and entered the U.S. market.

The list now contains more than 40 different varieties that now “require a U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) import authorization, APHIS Form 2000, under BRS regulations at 7 CFR part 340.”  Click here to see the list.

The Plant Protection Act gives APHIS the authority to regulate genetically engineered organisms that may present a plant health risk. The affected petunias do not cause any risk to people or the environment because they are annuals that die each year and don’t cross breed into native plants.

The USDA has created a web page of “living documents” that is constantly being updated as new developments evolve pertaining to this issues.

At the end of May, APHIS also released a list of laboratories that it will now accept test results from to confirm the presence of genetically engineered sequences in the suspected varieties.

This story continues to develop. Be sure to check back for more details as they become available.