USDA Seeks Public Comment on Petition to Deregulate Citrus Greening Disease-Resistant Carrizo Rootstock Developed Using Genetic Engineering

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 from Soilcea, LLC to deregulate a Carrizo citrus rootstock developed using genetic engineering to produce resistance to citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing, HLB).

The public will have 60 days to review and comment on the petition and draft plant pest risk assessment (PPRA). APHIS encourages submission of scientific data, studies, or research in support of 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-2025-1067” into the search field.