National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture

Comments Needed: USDA/APHIS Releases Draft EIS for GMO Regulation

AHPIS will take comments on the Draft EIS until September 11, 2007. The draft environmental impact statement (EIS) offers a range of options on ten issues central to the new rules. One of the most important issues in the draft EIS (Issue 4) discusses the regulation of ‘pharma’ crops engineered to produce pharmaceutical and industrial chemicals in food crops. Despite its demonstrated inability to adequately protect the food supply from contamination in the past, the USDA's preferred option for future pharma/industrial crop regulation would essentially maintain the status quo. Instead, USDA should adopt Alternative 4 for Issue 4, which would ban outdoor production of ‘pharma’ food crops. For a more in-depth analysis of the risks to the food supply from outdoor production of pharma/industrial food crops, see the UCS policy paper and supporting documents: www.ProtectOurFood.org. For those without the time or inclination to do formal comments, you may simply send a form letter via: http://ucsaction.org/campaign/8_24_07_pharma_crops.

You may submit your comments addressing the Draft EIS by either of the following 2 methods:

1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov, select ``Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service'' from the agency drop-down menu, then click ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2006-0112 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials, including the DEIS, that are available electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's ``User Tips'' link.

2. Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0112, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2006-0112

Also, please spread the word on this: GM ALFALFA HOTLINE

Conventional and organic farmers who raise or plan to raise alfalfa can now call a toll-free number at the USDA to determine if nearby fields are planted with GM alfalfa. The USDA is providing a list of states and counties in which Roundup Ready alfalfa is grown as part of a court order which vacated USDA's 2005 decision to deregulate RR alfalfa. The toll-free line can be accessed by calling 1-866-724-6408.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/alfalfa.shtml

Jill Davies

www.sustainablelivingsystems.org
www.westernsawg.org
PO Box 59, Victor, Mt. 59875
406 642-3601