SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On October 9, 2008, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published in the Federal Register (73 FR 60007-60048, Docket No. APHIS-2008-0023) a proposal ^[1] to revise our regulations in 7 CFR part 340 regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms. The proposed revisions would bring the regulations into alignment with authorities of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) and update the regulations in response to advances in genetic science and technology and our accumulated experience in implementing the current regulations. APHIS sought public comment on the proposal from October 9, 2008, to November 24, 2008.

On January 16, 2009, APHIS published in the Federal Register (74 FR 2907-2909, Docket No. APHIS-2008-0023) a notice announcing the reopening of the comment period for the proposed rule for an additional 60 days and particularly seeking additional comments on the following four issues:

Issue 1: Scope of the regulation and which GE organisms should be regulated.

Issue 2: Incorporation into the APHIS part 340 regulations the Plant Protection Act's noxious weed authority.

Issue 3: Elimination of the notification procedure and revision of the permit procedure.

Issue 4: Environmental release permit categories and regulation of GE crops that produce pharmaceutical and industrial compounds.

All four issues were among those that have been raised in the comments we have received so far on the proposed rule. In some cases commenters identified concerns about these issues, but did not provide specific suggestions as to how the proposed rule could be modified to address these concerns. By extending the comment period, APHIS is seeking to increase the transparency of the rulemaking process and elicit more specific information and detailed suggestions regarding these issues. We noted in the January 2009 notice reopening the comment period that APHIS intends to hold an additional public meeting on the proposed rule during the extended public comment period. To ensure that we identified the full range of topics for the April meeting's agenda, we held a scoping session on March 13, 2009. That scoping session was announced in a notice published in the Federal Register on March 11, 2009 (74 FR 10517-10518, Docket No. APHIS-2008-0023).

The March 13, 2009, scoping session began with a discussion of the topics to be included on the agenda for the April 2009 meeting, including the four specific issues described above on which the Agency is seeking comment. Those four issues will be discussed during the April 2009 meeting, along with other significant issues deemed appropriate by APHIS based on suggestions offered by those who attended the March 2009 scoping session. The meeting participants at the scoping session also offered suggestions regarding collaborative meeting formats that could help ensure that the agenda issues will be frankly and fully explored during the April 2009 meeting. ( printed page 16798)

This issue-focused meeting will be open to the public. The proceedings will be transcribed, and the transcripts will be made part of the rulemaking record. The meeting is intended to provide a forum for all interested parties to attend and participate in all the discussions to foster focused, substantive dialogue on the key issues.

Those wishing to attend the April 29 and 30, 2009, meeting may register on the Internet at http://web01.aphis.usda.gov/​BRS_​PublicMeeting.nsf/​. If you require a sign language interpreter or other special accommodations, you may provide this information when you register or by contacting the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Parking and Security Procedures

Please note that a fee of $3.00 in exact change is required to enter the parking lot at the USDA Center at Riverside. The machine accepts $1 bills or quarters.

Upon entering the building, visitors should inform security personnel that they are attending the 340 Proposed Rule public meeting. State-issued photo identification is required and all bags will be screened. Security personnel will direct visitors to the registration tables located outside of Conference Room B on the first floor. Registration upon arrival is required for all participants.

Extension of Comment Period

In the March 2009 notice that announced the scoping meeting described above, we also announced that the comment period for the proposed rule will be extended for 60 days following the April meeting, and that the new date for the close of the comment period would be provided in the notice announcing the date and other details for the April 2009 meeting. The new date for the close of the comment period will be June 29, 2009, which is 60 days after April 30, 2009, the second day of our public meeting. Persons wishing to submit written comments on the proposed rule may continue to do so until June 29, 2009, using either of the methods described under ADDRESSES above.