USDA Reopens Comment Period for GMO Arctic Apple

Jan 02, 2014

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reopened the public comment period for the Arctic apple, a genetically modified apple that doesn’t turn brown.

A Canadian company from British Columbia is the creator of the GMO apple - Okanagan Speciality Fruits Inc. is requesting non-regulated status for the apple so it can market to the conventional apple market.

The USDA agency, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is administering the public consultation. The agency first opened the comment period from Nov. 9 to Dec. 9, but has extended the deadline to Jan. 30 due to what they say have been numerous requests for additional time.

APHIS has already completed its environmental assessment of the apple, and was given the okay from U.S. government scientists. APHIS said that non-browning apples could be beneficial for fruit processing and may extend the shelf life of fresh apples sold in stores. If all goes well, the Arctic apple could be on grocery store shelves in the U.S. in fall 2015.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Arctic apple, read an earlier story published on Farms.com entitled ‘Arctic Apple’ Won’t Brown When Cut.

Video: Spring Planting Prep Just Got Serious… We NEED This!

Getting closer to planting season means one thing… it’s time to get EVERYTHING ready.

Today didn’t go exactly as planned—we thought we’d be hauling potatoes again, but instead we spent the day digging equipment out of the cellar, hooking up the grain drill, and getting tractors ready to roll. With wheat planting just around the corner, every piece of equipment matters.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a normal day without a few problems… dead batteries, hydraulic issues, and a truck tire that absolutely refused to cooperate. We tried everything—jump packs, bead bazooka, ratchet straps… and eventually had to bring out the “big guns” just to get things moving again.

But that’s farm life—adapt, fix, and keep moving forward.

We’re getting close to go-time. Wheat seed is coming soon, and planting season is right around the corner