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Regulation of Genetically Modified Crops in USA and Canada: American Overview

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Regulation of Agricultural Biotechnology: The United States and Canada

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Abstract

This chapter provides a non-technical review of the regulations pertaining to GM crops in the US, a detailed overview of the science-based regulatory framework that exists to regulate biotechnology and, hence, genetically modified crops. The USA utilizes a three-pronged regulatory approach that differentiates between safety threats to agriculture (crops), food and the environment. We discuss the development of the regulatory frameworks pertaining to rDNA (biotechnology) derived crops and also provide a present day review of these frameworks.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The full listing of such USDA administered trials is available at: http://www.isb.vt.edu/cfdocs/fieldtests1.cfm.

  2. 2.

    For details on the requirements for the notification procedure, see 7 CFR 340.3.

  3. 3.

    The regulatory requirements for permits are documented at 3 CFR 340.4, and online information and assistance is available at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/permits.shtml

  4. 4.

    Available at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/pdf/2000.pdf

  5. 5.

    Available at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/permits/brs_epermits.shtml

  6. 6.

    Available at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/pdf/usersguide.pdf

  7. 7.

    For an example of a petition for non-regulated status for a GM plant under 7 CFR 340, see: http://www.agbios.com/docroot/decdocs/04-225-005.pdf

  8. 8.

    All of these are documented at: http://www.isb.vt.edu/cfdocs/biopetitions3.cfm

  9. 9.

    Available at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs2/98_33501p_com.pdf

  10. 10.

    The following is a quick review of the NEPA involvement and procedures, but necessarily omits various exceptions, exemptions and appeals procedures. For a comprehensive description, see the NEPA website (www.nepa.gov) or one of the many books on the subject.

  11. 11.

    For examples of such specious arguments, see the website of the Institute of Science in Society (ISIS) at: http://www.i-sis.org.uk/index.php, or that of Jeffrey Smith at: http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/Home/index.cfm

  12. 12.

    Further information is available at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/regtools/biotech-reg-prod.htm

  13. 13.

    Done in accordance to the EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) Harmonized Pesticide Test Guidelines.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, 3110 Bachelor Hall, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA

    Alan McHughen

  2. Department of Bioresource Policy, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8, Canada

    Stuart J. Smyth

Authors
  1. Alan McHughen
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  2. Stuart J. Smyth
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alan McHughen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Office of Pesticide Programs, Biopesticides & Pollution, US Environmental Protection Agency, Pensylvania Ave. NW., 1200, WASHINGTON, 20460, District of Columbia, USA

    Chris A. Wozniak

  2. Dept. of Botany & Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, 92521, California, USA

    Alan McHughen

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McHughen, A., Smyth, S.J. (2012). Regulation of Genetically Modified Crops in USA and Canada: American Overview. In: Wozniak, C., McHughen, A. (eds) Regulation of Agricultural Biotechnology: The United States and Canada. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2156-2_3

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