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Your Thoughts Wanted on Petitions To Deregulate GE Apple and Citrus Rootstock

By USDA-APHIS|February 12, 2026

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is inviting public comment on a petition to deregulate an apple variety as well as a citrus rootstock both developed via genetic engineering.

The apple variety in question produces early juvenile blooming and near continuous blooming.

The separate petition filed by Soilcea, LLC seeks to deregulate a Carrizo citrus rootstock developed using genetic engineering to produce resistance to citrus greening disease (aka, HLB).

The public will have 60 days to review and comment on the petitions and draft plant pest risk assessment (PPRA).

Please submit scientific data, studies, or research to support your comments.

Members of the public can submit comments through April 13, 2026, on the petition and draft PPRA for the apple variety by going to regulations.gov and entering “APHIS-2025-1066” into the search field. To comment on the Carizzo citrus rootstock item, enter “APHIS-2025-1067” into the search field.

For more information, visit aphis.usda.gov.

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USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) protects the health of U.S. agriculture and natural resources against invasive pests and diseases, regulates genetically engineered crops, administers the Animal Welfare Act, and helps people and wildlife coexist. APHIS also certifies the health of U.S. agricultural exports and resolves phytosanitary and sanitary issues to open, expand, and maintain markets for U.S plant and animal products. See all author stories here.