Earlier this summer, the US Department of Agriculture announced reorganization plans that included relocating the majority of its staff to regional hubs around the country. Included in the relocation would be the USDA Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS), a program of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), that ensures the safety of organisms developed through genetic engineering by regulating their importation, interstate movement, and environmental release to protect US agriculture and the environment. In a letter co-signed by 12 other organizations representing scientists and non-profit organizations who regularly interface with BRS, ASPB urged USDA leadership to keep BRS in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The letter specifically highlights the unique blend of scientific and regularly expertise held by BRS staff, and the access BRS staff have to FDA and EPA. “In-person interagency meetings cannot be replaced virtually without sacrificing speed, clarity, and the informal but essential coordination that comes from proximity,” the letter states.
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Thank you for the article, Sarah Black. I agree that keeping these services close to federal agencies is very important to ensure smooth coordination and protect agriculture and the environment.