USDA now says new GM organisms rule can preempt state, local laws
Revising regulations governing importation, eco-release of GMO's is first comprehensive overhaul to rules in 21 years
by Sustainable Food News
November 10, 2008
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday reversed course on a recently proposed rule overhauling regulations governing the importation and environmental release of genetically modified organisms, saying it can preempt state and local laws.
The agency's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on Oct. 9 that that would be the first comprehensive revision in 21 years of regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered organisms.
In the Oct. 9 notice, the agency said that the proposed rule, if adopted, would not preempt any state or local laws or regulations. But the agency said in a subsequent Federal Register notice on Monday that that information is incorrect.
"We should have stated that, if this proposed rule is adopted, all State and local laws and regulations that are inconsistent with this rule will be preempted," the agency said in the notice on Monday.
The revisions would also "update the regulations in response to advances in genetic science and technology and our accumulated experience in implementing the current regulations," the agency said.
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thanks to tw
Revising regulations governing importation, eco-release of GMO's is first comprehensive overhaul to rules in 21 years
by Sustainable Food News
November 10, 2008
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday reversed course on a recently proposed rule overhauling regulations governing the importation and environmental release of genetically modified organisms, saying it can preempt state and local laws.
The agency's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on Oct. 9 that that would be the first comprehensive revision in 21 years of regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered organisms.
In the Oct. 9 notice, the agency said that the proposed rule, if adopted, would not preempt any state or local laws or regulations. But the agency said in a subsequent Federal Register notice on Monday that that information is incorrect.
"We should have stated that, if this proposed rule is adopted, all State and local laws and regulations that are inconsistent with this rule will be preempted," the agency said in the notice on Monday.
The revisions would also "update the regulations in response to advances in genetic science and technology and our accumulated experience in implementing the current regulations," the agency said.
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thanks to tw
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