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those field tests lasting more than 12 months are due 6 months after the termination of the field test. Field test reports shall include:

(i) The APHIS reference number; and (ii) Methods of observation, resulting data, and analysis regarding all deleterious effects on plants, nontarget organisms, or the environment.

(5) The Director, BBEP, shall be notified of any unusual occurrence within the time periods and in the manner specified in § 340.4(f)(10).

(6) Access shall be allowed for APHIS and State regulatory officials to inspect facilities and/or the field test site and any records necessary to evaluate compliance with the provisions of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.

(e) Administrative action in response to notification. (1) The Director, BBEP, will notify the appropriate State regulatory official(s) for notification and review within 5 business days of receipt of notification.

(2) The Director, BBEP, will provide acknowledgement within 10 days of receipt that the interstate movement is appropriate under notification.

(3) The Director, BBEP, will provide acknowledgement within 30 days of receipt that the importation is appropriate under notification.

(4) The Director, BBEP, will provide acknowledgement within 30 days of receipt that the environmental release is appropriate under notification.

(5) A person denied permission for introduction of a regulated article under notification may apply for a permit for introduction of that regulated article without prejudice.

[58 FR 17056, Mar. 31, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 67610, Dec. 30, 1994]

§ 340.4 Permits for the introduction of a regulated article.

(a) Application for permit. Two copies of a written application for a permit to introduce a regulated article shall be submitted by the responsible person on an application form obtained from Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection, Biotechnology Permits, 4700 River Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, Maryland 20737-1237. If there are

portions of the application deemed to contain trade secret or confidential business information (CBI), each page of the application containing such information should be marked "CBI Copy". In addition, those portions of the application which are deemed “CBI” shall be so designated. The second copy shall have all such CBI deleted and shall be marked on each page of the application where CBI was deleted, "CBI Deleted". If an application does not contain CBI then the first page of both copies shall be marked "No CBI".

(b) Permit for release into the environment. An application for the release into the environment of a regulated article shall be submitted at least 120 days in advance of the proposed release into the environment. An initial review shall be completed by Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection within 30 days of the receipt of the application. If the application is complete, the responsible individual shall be notified of the date of receipt of the application for purposes of advising the applicant when the 120 day review period commenced. If the application is not complete, the responsible individual will be advised what additional information must be submitted. Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection shall commence the 120 day review period upon receipt of the additional information, assuming the additional information submitted is adequate. When it is determined that an application is complete, Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection shall submit to the State department of agriculture of the State where the release is planned, a copy of the initial review and a copy of the application marked, "CBI Deleted", or "No CBI" for State notification and review. The application shall include the following information: 6

5 The 120 day review period would be extended if preparation of an environmental impact statement in addition to an environmental assessment was necessary.

• Application forms are available without charge from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection, Biotechnology Permits, 4700 River Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, Maryland 20737-1237, or from

(1) Name, title, address, telephone number, signature of the responsible person and type of permit requested (for importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment);

(2) All scientific, common, and trade names, and all designations necessary to identify the: Donor organism(s); recipient organism(s); vector or vector agent(s); constituent of each regulated article which is a product; and, regulated article;

(3) Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the persons who developed and/or supplied the regulated article;

(4) A description of the means of movement (e.g., mail, common carrier, baggage, or handcarried (and by whom));

(5) A description of the anticipated or actual expression of the altered genetic material in the regulated article and how that expression differs from the expression in the non-modified parental organism (e.g., morphological or structural characteristics, physiological activities and processes, number of copies of inserted genetic material and the physical state of this material inside the recipient organism (integrated or extrachromosomal), products and secretions, growth characteristics);

(6) A detailed description of the molecular biology of the system (e.g., donor-recipient-vector) which is or will be used to produce the regulated article;

(7) Country and locality where the donor organism, recipient organism, vector or vector agent, and regulated article were collected, developed, and produced;

(8) A detailed description of the purpose for the introduction of the regulated article including a detailed description of the proposed experimental and/or production design;

(9) The quantity of the regulated article to be introduced and proposed schedule and number of introductions;

(10) A detailed description of the processes, procedures, and safeguards which have been used or will be used in

local offices which are listed in telephone directories. A person should specify in requesting the application that the permit is for the introduction of a regulated article subject to regulation under part 340.

the country of origin and in the United States to prevent contamination, release, and dissemination in the production of the: Donor organism; recipient organism; vector or vector agent; constituent of each regulated article which is a product; and regulated article;

(11) A detailed description of the intended destination (including final and all intermediate destinations), uses, and/or distribution of the regulated article (e.g., greenhouses, laboratory, or growth chamber location; field trial location; pilot project location; production, propagation, and manufacture location; proposed sale and distribution location);

(12) A detailed description of the proposed procedures, processes, and safeguards which will be used to prevent escape and dissemination of the regulated article at each of the intended destinations;

(13) A detailed description of any biological material (e.g., culture medium, or host material) accompanying the regulated article during movement; and

(14) A detailed description of the proposed method of final disposition of the regulated article.

(c) Limited permits for interstate movement or importation of a regulated article. An application for the interstate movement or importation of a regulated article shall be submitted at least 60 days in advance of the first proposed interstate movement and at least 60 days prior to each importation. An initial review shall be completed by Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection within 15 days of the receipt of the application. If the application is complete, the responsible person shall be notified of the date of receipt of the application for purposes of advising the applicant when the 60 day review period commenced. If the application is not complete, the responsible person will be advised what additional information must be submitted. Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection shall commence the 60 day review period upon receipt of the additional information, assuming the additional information submitted is adequate. When it is determined that an applica

tion is complete, Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection shall submit to the State department of agriculture of the State of destination of the regulated article a copy of the initial review and the application marked, "CBI Deleted", or "No CBI" for State notification and review.

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(1) Limited permit for interstate movement. The responsible person may apply for a single limited permit for the interstate movement of multiple regulated articles in lieu of submitting an application for each individual interstate movement. Each limited permit issued shall be numbered and shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance. If a permit is sought for multiple interstate movements between tained facilities the responsible individual shall specify in the permit application all the regulated articles to be moved interstate; the origins and destinations of all proposed shipments; a detailed description of all the contained facilities where regulated articles will be utilized at destination; and a description of the containers that will be used to transport the regulated articles. A limited permit for interstate movement of a regulated article shall only be valid for the movement of those regulated articles moving between those locations specified in the application. If a person seeks to move regulated articles other than those specified in the application, or to a location other than those listed in the application, a supplemental application shall be submitted to Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection. No person shall move a regulated article interstate unless the number of the limited permit appears on the outside of the shipping container. The responsible person shipping a regulated article interstate shall keep records for one year demonstrating that the regulated article arrived at its intended destination. The responsible person seeking a limited permit for interstate movement shall submit on an application form obtained from Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection, the data required by paragraphs (b) (1), (2), (4), (6), (7), (9), and (11) through (14) of this section.

(2) Limited permit for importation. The responsible person seeking a permit for

the importation of a regulated article shall submit an application for a permit prior to the importation of each shipment of regulated articles. The responsible person importing a regulated article shall keep records for one year demonstrating that the regulated article arrived at its intended destination. The responsible person seeking a limited permit for importation shall submit on an application form obtained from Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection data required by paragraphs (b) (1), (2), (4), (6), (7), (9), and (11) through (14) of this section.7

(d) Premises inspection. An inspector may inspect the site or facility where regulated articles are proposed, pursuant to a permit, to be released into the environment or contained after their interstate movement or importation. Failure to allow the inspection of a premises prior to the issuance of a permit or limited permit shall be grounds for the denial of the permit.

(e) Administrative action on applications. After receipt and review by Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection, of the application and the data submitted pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, including any additional information requested by Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection, a permit shall be granted or denied. If a permit is denied, the applicant shall be promptly informed of the reasons why the permit was denied and given the opportunity to appeal the denial in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (g) of this section. If a permit is granted, the permit will specify the applicable conditions for introduction of the regulated article under this part.

(f) Permit conditions. A person who is issued a permit and his/her employees or agents shall comply with the following conditions, and any supplemental conditions which shall be listed on the permit, as deemed by the Director,

"Renewals may receive shorter review. In the case of a renewal for a limited permit for importation that has been issued less than one year earlier, APHIS will notify the responsible person within 15 days that either: (1) The renewal permit is approved or (2) that a 60 day review period is necessary because the conditions of the original permit have changed.

BBEP to be necessary to prevent the dissemination and establishment of plant pests:

(1) The regulated article shall be maintained and disposed of (when necessary) in a manner so as to prevent the dissemination and establishment of plant pests.

(2) All packing material, shipping containers, and any other material accompanying the regulated article shall be treated or disposed of in such a manner so as to prevent the dissemination and establishment of plant pests.

(3) The regulated article shall be kept separate from other organisms, except as specifically allowed in the permit;

(4) The regulated article shall be maintained only in areas and premises specified in the permit;

(5) An inspector shall be allowed access, during regular business hours, to the place where the regulated article is located and to any records relating to the introduction of a regulated article;

(6) The regulated article shall, when possible, be kept identified with a label showing the name of the regulated article, and the date of importation;

(7) The regulated article shall be subject to the application of measures determined by the Director, BBEP to be necessary to prevent the accidental or unauthorized release of the regulated article;

(8) The regulated article shall be subject to the application of remedial measures (including disposal) determined by the Director, BBEP to be necessary to prevent the spread of plant pests;

(9) A person who has been issued a permit shall submit to Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection monitoring reports on the performance characteristics of the regulated article, in accordance with any monitoring reporting requirements that may be specified in a permit;

(10) Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection shall be notified within the time periods and manner specified below, in the event of the following occurrences:

(i) Orally notified immediately upon discovery and notify in writing within 24 hours in the event of any accidental or unauthorized release of the regulated article;

(ii) In writing as soon as possible but not later than within 5 working days if the regulated article or associated host organism is found to have characteristics substantially different from those listed in the application for a permit or suffers any unusual occurrence (excessive mortality or morbidity, or unanticipated effect on non-target organisms);

(11) A permittee or his/her agent and any person who seeks to import a regulated article into the United States shall:

(i) Import or offer the regulated article for entry only at a port of entry which is designated by an asterisk in 7 CFR 319.37-14(b);

(ii) Notify Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection promptly upon arrival of any regulated article at a port of entry, of its arrival by such means as a manifest, customs entry document, commercial invoice, waybill, a broker's document, or a notice form provided for such purpose; and

(iii) Mark and identify the regulated article in accordance with §340.5 of this part.

(g) Withdrawal or denial of a permit. Any permit which has been issued may be withdrawn by an inspector or the Director, BBEP if he/she determines that the holder thereof has not complied with one or more of the conditions listed on the permit. APHIS will confirm the reasons for the withdrawal of the permit in writing within ten (10) days. Any person whose permit has been withdrawn or any person who has been denied a permit may appeal the decision in writing to the Director, BBEP within ten (10) days after receiving the written notification of the withdrawal or denial. The appeal shall state all of the facts and reasons upon which the person relies to show that the permit was wrongfully withdrawn or denied. The Director, BBEP shall grant or deny the appeal, in writing, stating the reasons for the decision as promptly as circumstances allow. If there is a conflict as to any material fact, a hearing shall be held to resolve such conflict. Rules of practice concerning such a hearing will be adopted by the Administrator.

(h) Courtesy permit—(1) Issuance. The Director, BBEP may issue a courtesy

permit for the introduction of organisms modified through genetic engineering which are not subject to regulation under this part to facilitate movement when the movement might otherwise be impeded because of the similarity of the organism to other organisms regulated under this part.

(2) Application. A person seeking a courtesy permit shall submit on an application form obtained from Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection data required by paragraphs (b) (1), (2), and (5) of this section and shall indicate such data is being submitted as a request for a courtesy permit. A person should also include a statement explaining why he or she believes the organism or product does not come within the definition of a regulated article. The application shall be submitted at least 60 days prior to the time the courtesy permit is sought.

(3) Administrative action. Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection shall complete an initial review within 15 days of the date of receipt of the application. If the application is complete, the responsible individual shall be notified of the date of receipt of the application for purposes of advising the applicant when the 60 day review period commenced. If the application is not complete, the responsible individual will be advised what additional information must be submitted, and shall commence the 60 day review period upon receipt of the additional information, assuming the additional information submitted is adequate. Within 60 days from the date of receipt of a complete application, Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection will either issue a courtesy permit or advise the responsible individual that a permit is required under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section.

[52 FR 22908, June 16, 1987. Redesignated at 58 FR 17056, Mar. 31, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 17058, Mar. 31, 1993; 59 FR 67610, Dec. 30, 1994]

§340.5 Petition to amend the list of organisms.

(a) General. Any person may submit to the Director, BBEP a petition to amend the list of organisms in §340.2 of this part by adding or deleting any

genus, species, or subspecies. A petitioner may supplement, amend, or withdraw a petition in writing without prior approval of the Director, BBEP and without prejudice to resubmission at any time until the Director, BBEP rules on the petition. A petition to amend the list of organisms shall be submitted in accordance with the procedures and format specified by this section.

(b) Submission procedures and format. A person shall submit two copies of a petition to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection, Biotechnology Permits, 4700 River Road, Unit 147, Riverdale, Maryland 20737–1237. The petition should be dated, and structured as follows:

PETITION TO AMEND 7 CFR 340.2

The undersigned submits this petition under 7 CFR 340.4 to request the Director, BBEP of Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection, to [add the following genus, species, or subspecies to the list of organisms in 7 CFR 340.2] or [to remove the following genus, species, or subspecies from the list of organisms in §340.2].

A. Statement of Grounds

(A person must present a full statement explaining the factual grounds why the genus, species, or subspecies to be added to §340.2 of this part is a plant pest or why there is reason to believe the genus, species, or subspecies is a plant pest or why the genus, species, or subspecies sought to be removed is not a plant pest or why there is reason to believe the genus, species, or subspecies is not a plant pest. The petition should include copies of scientific literature which the petitioner is relying upon, copies of unpublished studies, or data from tests performed. The petition should not include trade secret or confidential business information.

A person should also include representative information known to the petitioner which would be unfavorable to a petition for listing or delisting. (If a person is not aware of any unfavorable information the petition should state, Unfavorable Information: NONE).

B. Certification

The undersigned certifies, that to the best knowledge and belief of the undersigned, this petition includes all information and views on which the petitioner relies, and that it includes representative data and information

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