The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is inviting public comment on a request from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. (Pioneer) to extend deregulation to a variety of corn. developed through genetic engineering. The Seed Production Technology for Africa (SPTA), responsible for maize (DP56113 maize), was developed for the maintenance and recovery of male sterile maize breeding lines.

APHIS previously reviewed and deregulated the characteristics of DP56113 corn in another variety of corn developed by Pioneer, known as DP-32138-1 corn.

APHIS reviewed Pioneer's extension request and prepared a Preliminary Plant Pest Risk Similarity Assessment (PPRSA), concluding that DP56113 corn is no more likely to pose a plant pest risk than DP-32138 corn- 1 previously deregulated.

APHIS is making the PPRSA and the deregulation extension request publicly available for 30 days.

APHIS will carefully review all comments on these documents received during the public comment period. If APHIS does not receive new scientific information, the Agency will announce the extension of the deregulation to DP56113 corn on its website.

The deregulation extension request and PPRSA can be accessed on the News page of the APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services website. This notice can also be seen in yesterday's Federal Register. Beginning November 12, members of the public will be able to submit comments until December 14 through the US Government's website Regulations.gov.