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Rachel Iadicicco  (301) 734-3255
Angela Harless    (202) 720-4623

USDA LAUNCHES BIOTECHNOLOGY QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PILOT PROJECT

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 2009--The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today introduced a pilot of the biotechnology quality management system (BQMS).  The system is part of continued efforts to enhance compliance with the regulatory requirements for field trials and movements of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms.
 
“Our goal with the biotechnology quality management system is to give developers the tools they need to better comply with our regulations,” said Michael Gregoire, deputy administrator for APHIS’ biotechnology regulatory services program.  “The pilot project provides us with an opportunity to further develop and improve the system before its full implementation.”

APHIS has accepted five volunteer participants into the pilot project:  Bayer CropScience, BASF Plant Science, J.R. Simplot Plant Science, Pioneer Hi-Bred International and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.  The participants will develop, implement and maintain a quality management system within their organization to proactively manage the movement and field release of regulated GE organisms.   As part of the process, they will:  

The pilot project also will test the feasibility of the BQMS audit standard and accompanying guidelines, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/news_bqms.shtml.  The guidelines will be used by the participants as they develop their system.   A formal comment period on the audit standard also will be announced in the Federal Register.
 
APHIS regulates the importation, interstate movement and release into the environment of certain GE organisms.  APHIS announced its intention of developing a voluntary compliance assistance system in fall 2007 to help universities, small businesses and large companies develop sound management practices to enhance compliance with APHIS regulatory requirements for GE organisms.  BQMS is intended to supplement existing APHIS regulatory and inspection requirements.

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