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 an apple developed using genetic engineering. The apple variety produces early juvenile blooming and near continuous blooming.

The public will have 60 days to review and comment on the petition and draft plant pest risk assessment (PPRA). Please submit scientific data, studies, or research to support your 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-2025-1066” into the search field.