Department of Agriculture December 13, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are amending our Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Services user fee regulations to update an address that appears in several places. We are also making several nonsubstantive changes to the Veterinary Services user fee regulations to correct errors and to clarify the services covered by certain existing user fees. These changes, which do not affect any existing fees, are necessary to ensure that the user fee regulations are up to date and to ensure their clarity.

We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has received a petition from the Monsanto Company seeking a determination of nonregulated status for insect-resistant corn derived from a transformation event designated as MON 89034. The petition has been submitted in accordance with our regulations concerning the introduction of certain genetically engineered organisms and products. In accordance with those regulations, we are soliciting comments on whether this genetically engineered corn is or could be a plant pest. We are also making available for public comment a draft environmental assessment for the proposed determination of nonregulated status.

We are issuing this notice to inform producers and users of veterinary biological products, and other interested individuals, that we will be holding our 14th public meeting to discuss regulatory and policy issues related to the manufacture, distribution, and use of veterinary biological products. We are planning the meeting agenda and are requesting suggestions for topics of general interest to producers and other interested individuals.