The American Chestnut Foundation will a Chestnut Chat on September 4th at 11:30 am to discuss how interested parties can file comments to USDA-APHIS concerning the proposed deregulation of SUNY – ESF’s new Darling 58 transgenic blight tolerant chestnut variety
APHIS is in the process of reviewing our comprehensive document called the “Petition for Nonregulated Status” and part of that review process is getting public input. APHIS is specifically requesting comments “regarding potential issues and impacts that APHIS should be considering in our evaluation of the petition” and constructive input from scientists, chestnut enthusiasts, and other stakeholders will be valuable in helping APHIS make their decision.
To help familiarize the process, this week’s Chestnut Chat will feature Andy Newhouse, ESF researcher and one of the lead authors of the petition, and attorney James Votaw, partner, Keller & Heckman LLP, with extensive expertise in environmental health and safety regulation in Washington DC. Both will describe the petition and the open comment process, and answer questions from participants and panelists. Join us to learn how to help TACF’s research partners at ESF have a successful review period, which closes on October 19, 2020.
For more resources and information ahead of this Chestnut Chat, visit TACF’s Public Comment Period page on our website. To experience a visual description of the tree’s history and ESF’s research, watch this video.
Participants can join one of two ways:
- Computer (via Zoom Webinar):The meeting will open 15 minutes prior to start time to allow an audio and video test. You will be prompted to enter an email address once you click here. (Entering an email is a formality of Zoom Webinar and will not be used for solicitation. If you do not want to provide your email, you can choose to use a fake address.)
- Phone:+1-646-876-9923. When prompted, enter this webinar ID#: 940 0525 4181
- International numbers available byclicking here.