USDA APHIS Deregulates Engineered American Chestnut for Blight Tolerance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced deregulation of State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (SUNY-ESF) Darling 54 American chestnut to improve tolerance to chestnut blight. The deregulation allows Darling 54 to move forward without being subject to APHIS regulations governing certain genetically engineered organisms.

The USDA APHIS determined that the modified American chestnut is unlikely to pose a greater plant pest risk than its unmodified counterpart. The decision is based on data submitted by SUNY-ESF, available scientific information, and public comments collected during its review. APHIS has evaluated potential plant pest risks associated with the modified American chestnut through a plant pest risk assessment. The review included comments received after draft assessments were released in 2022 and 2025, as well as a revised petition submitted by SUNY-ESF.

The development of the chestnut aims to address the threat posed by chestnut blight, a fungal disease caused by Cryphonectria parasitica, that has severely affected American chestnut populations. APHIS said its determination was based on its assessment that the engineered American chestnut does not present a greater plant pest risk than the conventional counterpart.

For more information, read the article from USDA APHIS.