APHIS Biotechnology 

Regulatory Services: 

Engaging Native American Communities in 

Biotechnology Regulation 

Through its Biotechnology Regulatory 

Services (BRS) program, the Animal and 

Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 

protects against risks to U.S. plant health and 

provides for the safe importation, interstate 

movement, and environmental release/field 

testing of certain genetically engineered (GE) 

organisms. APHIS is part of the U.S. Department 

of Agriculture (USDA) and has regulated GE 

organisms since 1987. 

What We Do

APHIS requires applicants who want to move, import, 

or field test certain newly developed GE organisms to 

submit detailed information for thorough review by our 

scientists to assess plant pest risks or potential environmental impacts before the introduction can be allowed. 

Upon completion of field testing, developers can 

petition APHIS to determine nonregulated status for a 

GE organism once they have gathered sufficient information to demonstrate that the new GE variety does 

not pose a plant pest risk and is safe to be grown in 

the environment without regulatory oversight. Before 

APHIS determines nonregulated status, our scientists 

must conclude that the new GE variety is just as safe 

for agriculture as traditionally bred crop varieties. 

Once APHIS determines that a new GE organism does 

not pose a plant pest risk, it may be moved and planted 

without our regulatory oversight. At this point, if any 

other applicable reviews of the product have been 

completed by other Federal agencies, the developer 

may choose to bring the GE product to market. 

To date, APHIS has issued more than 36,000 field trial 

and movement authorizations and made determinations of nonregulated status for over 100 GE products.

APHIS achieves compliance with its biotechnology 

regulations through a variety of measures, including 

inspections, educational and outreach efforts, investigations, and audits. 

Coordinating for the Safe Use of 

Biotechnology

APHIS coordinates its biotechnology regulatory activities with the 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA). EPA 

regulates pesticides, including crops with plant-incorporated protectants 

(pesticides intended to be produced and used in a living plant) to ensure 

public safety. EPA also regulates pesticide residue on food and animal feed. 

FDA has primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of human food and 

animal feed, as well as proper labeling and safety of all plant-derived foods 

and feeds. APHIS regulates certain GE organisms that may pose a risk to 

plant health.

Working With Native American Communities 

APHIS makes it a top priority to reach out to Native American communities 

regarding GE field trials and regulatory decisions that may affect tribal 

lands. For GE field trials either on Federal reservations or close enough to 

have a possible impact, APHIS contacts and initiates consultation with the 

tribe(s). When we receive a petition to deregulate a GE organism, we provide 

information to Federally Recognized Tribes during the decisionmaking process 

and extend invitations for consultation to them. APHIS actively seeks tribal 

input on petitions for deregulation, and on field trials and movement of 

GE organisms, on or near tribal lands. In addition, we encourage tribes to 

contact USDA on these and any other biotechnology regulatory concerns. 

We are also happy to provide educational outreach on the topic of 

biotechnology regulation.

For More Information

To learn more about APHIS’ regulation of agricultural biotechnology, please 

visit www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology. Additional information about 

biotechnology products and statistics in the United States is available at 

www.isb.vt.edu.

For further questions and to find out how APHIS-BRS can work with your 

community, please contact BRS Tribal Liaison, Gwendolyn Burnett, at 

(301) 851-3893 or gwendolyn.l.burnett@aphis.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

Issued August 2014

APHIS works closely with Native American communities to 

help protect their agricultural resources.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Program Aid No. 2123-5