USDA Seeks Public Comment on Petition To Deregulate Insect-Resistant Cotton Developed Using Genetic Engineering

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) invites public comment on a petition from Bayer Crop Science LLC to deregulate a cotton developed using genetic engineering. The cotton variety resists damage caused by lepidopteran pests, including tobacco budworm, cotton bollworm, old world bollworm, Australian budworm, fall armyworm, and soybean looper. 

The public will have 60 days to review and comment on the petition and draft Plant Pest Risk Assessment (PPRA). APHIS encourages submission of scientific data, studies, or research in support of comments. 

Beginning September 21, 2026, members of the public can submit comments through November 20, 2026, on the petition and draft PPRA by going to www.regulations.gov and entering “APHIS-2026-0859” into the Search field.