BASF Corporation; Petition for a Determination of Nonregulated Status for Plant-Parasitic Nematode-Protected and Herbicide Resistant Soybean, 32004-32005 [2020-11492]

Download as PDF jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES 32004 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 103 / Thursday, May 28, 2020 / Notices submitted under OMB 0581–0269 Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery. The purpose of this survey is to learn who our customers are and what their preferences are in order to improve the USDA Farmers Market. The VegUcation classes take place weekly at the USDA Farmers Market and are free for anyone to attend and are taught by USDA subject matter experts. The purpose is to learn how familiar attendees are with the featured fruit or vegetable, if they found the class valuable, and if their attendance affected their market purchases. The Vendor Satisfaction Survey also under OMB 0581–0269 will only be used by the current vendors to give anonymous feedback on the market. This information will be used to gauge the market experience from the vendor’s perspective. Tracking the overall communication, logistics, support of the market team can provide feedback on how successful the operational procedures are executed. In addition to receiving feedback on the market operations, it is imperative that USDA’s Farmers Market offers support and best marketing practices to the vendors. The success rate is not only tracked for the internal office use but also to better represent the vendors. Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to be 7 minutes per response. Respondents: Farmers and/or small business owners. Estimated Number of Respondents: 68. Estimated Total Annual Responses: 1,764. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 25.94. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 201.12 hours. Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. All comments will become a matter of VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:32 May 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 public record and may be sent to the following address: Bruce Summers, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2020–11429 Filed 5–27–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS–2020–0023] BASF Corporation; Petition for a Determination of Nonregulated Status for Plant-Parasitic Nematode-Protected and Herbicide Resistant Soybean Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has received a petition from BASF Corporation seeking a determination of nonregulated status of soybean event GMB151 genetically engineered for resistance to the plant-parasitic nematode, soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines), and for resistance to 4hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD–4) inhibitor herbicides. The petition has been submitted in accordance with our regulations concerning the introduction of certain genetically engineered organisms and products. We are making the petition available for review and comment to help us identify potential environmental and interrelated economic issues and impacts that APHIS may determine should be considered in our evaluation of the petition. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 27, 2020. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2020-0023. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS–2020–0023, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A–03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737–1238. The petition and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at https://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2020-0023 or in our reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC. Normal reading SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 7997039 before coming. The petition is also available on the APHIS website at: https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/ biotechnology/permits-notificationspetitions/petitions/petition-status under APHIS petition 19–317–01p. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Cindy Eck, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301) 851–3892, email: cynthia.a.eck@ usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the authority of the plant pest provisions of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), the regulations in 7 CFR part 340, ‘‘Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant Pests or Which There Is Reason to Believe Are Plant Pests,’’ regulate, among other things, the introduction (importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment) of organisms and products altered or produced through genetic engineering that are plant pests or that there is reason to believe are plant pests. Such genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products are considered ‘‘regulated articles.’’ The regulations in § 340.6(a) provide that any person may submit a petition to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeking a determination that an article should not be regulated under 7 CFR part 340. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of § 340.6 describe the form that a petition for a determination of nonregulated status must take and the information that must be included in the petition. APHIS has received a petition (APHIS Petition Number 19–317–01p) from BASF Corporation (BASF) seeking a determination of nonregulated status of soybean event GMB151 genetically engineered for resistance to the plantparasitic nematode, soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines), and for resistance to 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD–4) inhibitor herbicides. The BASF petition states that information collected during field trials and laboratory analyses indicates that GMB151 soybean is not likely to be a plant pest and therefore should not be a regulated article under APHIS’ regulations in 7 CFR part 340. As described in the petition, GMB151 soybean was developed through disarmed Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using the vector E:\FR\FM\28MYN1.SGM 28MYN1 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 103 / Thursday, May 28, 2020 / Notices pSZ8832 containing the cry14Ab-1.b and hppdPf-4Pa gene cassettes. GMB151 soybean produces the Cry14Ab-1 protein, a crystal protein derived from Bacillus thuringiensis, which confers resistance to the plant-parasitic nematode, soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines). GMB151 also produces a modified 4hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD–4) derived from Pseudomonas fluorescens that confers resistance to HPPD-inhibitor herbicides such as isoxaflutole. Agronomic performance of GMB151 was evaluated at 11 field sites across U.S. soybean growing regions. The BASF petition states that agronomic performance of GMB151 soybean is comparable to the non-genetically modified conventional counterpart and reference varieties and that these data support the conclusion that GMB151 soybean lacks weediness potential and plant pest risk. Field tests conducted under APHIS oversight allowed for evaluation in a natural agricultural setting while imposing measures to minimize the likelihood of persistence in the environment after completion of the tests. Data are gathered on multiple parameters and used by the applicant to evaluate agronomic characteristics and product performance. These and other data are used by APHIS to determine if the new variety poses a plant pest risk. Paragraph (d) of § 340.6 provides that APHIS will publish a notice in the Federal Register providing 60 days for public comment for petitions for a determination of nonregulated status. On March 6, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 13258–13260, Docket No. APHIS–2011–0129) a notice 1 describing our process for soliciting public comment when considering petitions for determinations of nonregulated status for GE organisms. In that notice we indicated that APHIS would accept written comments regarding a petition once APHIS deemed it complete. In accordance with § 340.6(d) of the regulations and our process for soliciting public input when considering petitions for determinations of nonregulated status for GE organisms, we are publishing this notice to inform the public that APHIS will accept written comments regarding the petition for a determination of nonregulated status from interested or affected persons for a period of 60 days from the date of this notice. The petition is available for public review and comment, and copies are available as indicated under ADDRESSES and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above. We are interested in receiving comments regarding potential environmental and interrelated economic issues and impacts that APHIS may determine should be considered in our evaluation of the petition. We are particularly interested in receiving comments regarding biological, cultural, or ecological issues, and we encourage the submission of scientific data, studies, or research to support your comments. After the comment period closes, APHIS will review all written comments received during the comment period and any other relevant information. Any substantive issues identified by APHIS based on our review of the petition and our evaluation and analysis of comments will be considered in the development of our decision-making documents. As part of our decisionmaking process regarding a GE organism’s regulatory status, APHIS prepares a plant pest risk assessment to assess its plant pest risk and the appropriate environmental documentation—either an environmental assessment (EA) or an environmental impact statement (EIS)— in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to provide the Agency with a review and analysis of any potential environmental impacts associated with the petition request. For petitions for which APHIS prepares an EA, APHIS will follow our published process for soliciting public comment (see footnote 1) and publish a separate notice in the Federal Register announcing the availability of APHIS’ EA and plant pest risk assessment. Should APHIS determine that an EIS is necessary, APHIS will complete the NEPA EIS process in accordance with Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR part 1500–1508) and APHIS’ NEPA implementing regulations (7 CFR part 372). Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701–7772 and 7781– 7786; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3. Michael Watson, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2020–11492 Filed 5–27–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P 1 To view the notice, go to https:// www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS2011-0129. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:32 May 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 32005 COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the Kentucky Advisory Committee U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Announcement of meeting. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the Federal Advisory Committee Act that the Kentucky Advisory Committee (Committee) will hold a meeting via web-conference on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, for the purpose of hearing testimony from advocates and others on bail reform in Kentucky. DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. Eastern. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Delaviez at bdelaviez@usccr.gov or 1–202–539–8246. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Call Information: Dial: 800– 367–2403; Conference ID: 6065275. Members of the public can listen to the discussion. This meeting is available to the public through the following tollfree call-in number. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make a statement as time allows. The conference operator will ask callers to identify themselves, the organizations they are affiliated with (if any), and an email address prior to placing callers into the conference call. Callers can expect to incur charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, and the Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free telephone number. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the proceedings by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–977–8339 and providing the Service with the conference call number and conference ID number. Members of the public are also entitled to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments may be emailed to Carolyn Allen at callen@ usccr.gov in the Regional Programs Unit Office/Advisory Committee Management Unit. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Regional Program Unit Office at 202– 539–8246. Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Program Unit, as they become SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\28MYN1.SGM 28MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 103 (Thursday, May 28, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32004-32005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11492]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2020-0023]


BASF Corporation; Petition for a Determination of Nonregulated 
Status for Plant-Parasitic Nematode-Protected and Herbicide Resistant 
Soybean

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) has received a petition from BASF 
Corporation seeking a determination of nonregulated status of soybean 
event GMB151 genetically engineered for resistance to the plant-
parasitic nematode, soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines), and 
for resistance to 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD-4) 
inhibitor herbicides. The petition has been submitted in accordance 
with our regulations concerning the introduction of certain genetically 
engineered organisms and products. We are making the petition available 
for review and comment to help us identify potential environmental and 
interrelated economic issues and impacts that APHIS may determine 
should be considered in our evaluation of the petition.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before July 
27, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2020-0023.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to 
Docket No. APHIS-2020-0023, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, 
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1238.
    The petition and any comments we receive on this docket may be 
viewed at https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2020-0023 
or in our reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA South 
Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC. 
Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, 
please call (202) 7997039 before coming.
    The petition is also available on the APHIS website at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/biotechnology/permits-notifications-petitions/petitions/petition-status under APHIS petition 19-317-01p.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Cindy Eck, Biotechnology 
Regulatory Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 147, Riverdale, MD 
20737-1236; (301) 851-3892, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the authority of the plant pest 
provisions of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), the 
regulations in 7 CFR part 340, ``Introduction of Organisms and Products 
Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant Pests 
or Which There Is Reason to Believe Are Plant Pests,'' regulate, among 
other things, the introduction (importation, interstate movement, or 
release into the environment) of organisms and products altered or 
produced through genetic engineering that are plant pests or that there 
is reason to believe are plant pests. Such genetically engineered (GE) 
organisms and products are considered ``regulated articles.''
    The regulations in Sec.  340.6(a) provide that any person may 
submit a petition to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) seeking a determination that an article should not be regulated 
under 7 CFR part 340. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of Sec.  340.6 describe 
the form that a petition for a determination of nonregulated status 
must take and the information that must be included in the petition.
    APHIS has received a petition (APHIS Petition Number 19-317-01p) 
from BASF Corporation (BASF) seeking a determination of nonregulated 
status of soybean event GMB151 genetically engineered for resistance to 
the plant-parasitic nematode, soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera 
glycines), and for resistance to 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase 
(HPPD-4) inhibitor herbicides. The BASF petition states that 
information collected during field trials and laboratory analyses 
indicates that GMB151 soybean is not likely to be a plant pest and 
therefore should not be a regulated article under APHIS' regulations in 
7 CFR part 340.
    As described in the petition, GMB151 soybean was developed through 
disarmed Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using the vector

[[Page 32005]]

pSZ8832 containing the cry14Ab-1.b and hppdPf-4Pa gene cassettes. 
GMB151 soybean produces the Cry14Ab-1 protein, a crystal protein 
derived from Bacillus thuringiensis, which confers resistance to the 
plant-parasitic nematode, soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines). 
GMB151 also produces a modified 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase 
(HPPD-4) derived from Pseudomonas fluorescens that confers resistance 
to HPPD-inhibitor herbicides such as isoxaflutole. Agronomic 
performance of GMB151 was evaluated at 11 field sites across U.S. 
soybean growing regions. The BASF petition states that agronomic 
performance of GMB151 soybean is comparable to the non-genetically 
modified conventional counterpart and reference varieties and that 
these data support the conclusion that GMB151 soybean lacks weediness 
potential and plant pest risk.
    Field tests conducted under APHIS oversight allowed for evaluation 
in a natural agricultural setting while imposing measures to minimize 
the likelihood of persistence in the environment after completion of 
the tests. Data are gathered on multiple parameters and used by the 
applicant to evaluate agronomic characteristics and product 
performance. These and other data are used by APHIS to determine if the 
new variety poses a plant pest risk.
    Paragraph (d) of Sec.  340.6 provides that APHIS will publish a 
notice in the Federal Register providing 60 days for public comment for 
petitions for a determination of nonregulated status. On March 6, 2012, 
we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 13258-13260, Docket No. 
APHIS-2011-0129) a notice \1\ describing our process for soliciting 
public comment when considering petitions for determinations of 
nonregulated status for GE organisms. In that notice we indicated that 
APHIS would accept written comments regarding a petition once APHIS 
deemed it complete.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ To view the notice, go to https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=APHIS-2011-0129.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In accordance with Sec.  340.6(d) of the regulations and our 
process for soliciting public input when considering petitions for 
determinations of nonregulated status for GE organisms, we are 
publishing this notice to inform the public that APHIS will accept 
written comments regarding the petition for a determination of 
nonregulated status from interested or affected persons for a period of 
60 days from the date of this notice. The petition is available for 
public review and comment, and copies are available as indicated under 
ADDRESSES and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above. We are interested 
in receiving comments regarding potential environmental and 
interrelated economic issues and impacts that APHIS may determine 
should be considered in our evaluation of the petition. We are 
particularly interested in receiving comments regarding biological, 
cultural, or ecological issues, and we encourage the submission of 
scientific data, studies, or research to support your comments.
    After the comment period closes, APHIS will review all written 
comments received during the comment period and any other relevant 
information. Any substantive issues identified by APHIS based on our 
review of the petition and our evaluation and analysis of comments will 
be considered in the development of our decision-making documents. As 
part of our decision-making process regarding a GE organism's 
regulatory status, APHIS prepares a plant pest risk assessment to 
assess its plant pest risk and the appropriate environmental 
documentation--either an environmental assessment (EA) or an 
environmental impact statement (EIS)--in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to provide the Agency with a review 
and analysis of any potential environmental impacts associated with the 
petition request. For petitions for which APHIS prepares an EA, APHIS 
will follow our published process for soliciting public comment (see 
footnote 1) and publish a separate notice in the Federal Register 
announcing the availability of APHIS' EA and plant pest risk 
assessment.
    Should APHIS determine that an EIS is necessary, APHIS will 
complete the NEPA EIS process in accordance with Council on 
Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR part 1500-1508) and APHIS' 
NEPA implementing regulations (7 CFR part 372).

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 7701-7772 and 7781-7786; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 
CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.3.

Michael Watson,
Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-11492 Filed 5-27-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P
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