USDA APHIS Opens Comments on Draft Microbial Plant Pest List

On August 8, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) announced a public comment period on a draft list of microbial plant pests.

APHIS BRS has partnered with experts in plant pathology to develop a draft list of bacteria, fungi, and viruses based on the level of scientific evidence supporting their classification as or containing a plant pest. BRS solicits feedback on the proposed designations and scientifically relevant information related to genera or species within a category.

Comments must be submitted on or before October 7, 2024, using one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: visit Regulations.gov and search Docket No. APHIS-2024-0046.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2024-0046, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.