USDA Seeks Public Comment on Petition to Deregulate African Marigold Engineered to Produce Red Flowers

Contact: aphispress

Washington, D.C., February 10, 2026—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) invites public comment on a petition to deregulate African marigold developed using genetic engineering to produce red flowers. The public will have 60 days to review and comment on the petition and APHIS’ draft plant pest risk assessment (PPRA) and are encouraged to submit scientific data, studies, or research to support their comments.

Beginning February 11, 2026, members of the public can submit comments through April 13, 2026, on the petition and draft PPRA by going to www.regulations.gov and entering “APHIS-2026-0001” into the search field.