Federal Agencies to Share Non-Public Information About GE Plants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it will share with other federal agencies confidential business information relating to genetically engineered (GE) plants submitted under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. EPA has entered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to this effect with the Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to the notice, the MOU “will support and encourage cooperation
and communication between USDA, FDA, and EPA in the regulatory oversight
over genetically engineered plants and foods derived from such plants.
Under the MOU, USDA’s Office of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service/
Biotechnology Regulatory Services (APHIS/BRS) and EPA agree to share with
each other information about genetically engineered plants and the foods
derived from such plants, including non-public information exempt from
public disclosure usually referred to as ‘confidential business information’ and/
or ‘trade secrets.’” The information subject to the MOU may not be further
disclosed and those authorized to see the material will be limited. See Federal
Register, February 1, 2012.