Virginia Code 2.2-5505: Comment on proposed regulated introduction
A. The Department and any affected locality may prepare formal comments on the regulated introduction for submission to the federal regulator for that regulated introduction. The comments shall be submitted within the time established by the federal regulator for that regulated introduction, as determined by the applicable federal requirements or the Coordinated Framework. The comments shall address issues raised by application of the criteria for the granting of approval of a permit or a license under the applicable requirement in the Coordinated Framework and for the protection of the public health and the environment.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 2.2-5505
- Affected localities: means the locality in which a regulated introduction is proposed to be made and any locality within a three-mile radius of the location where the regulated introduction is proposed to be made. See Virginia Code 2.2-5501
- Coordinated Framework: means the federal Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology set forth in 51 Fed. See Virginia Code 2.2-5501
- Department: means the department designated by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to implement the requirements of this chapter for certain types or classes of regulated introductions. See Virginia Code 2.2-5501
- Federal regulator: means a federal department, agency, or other instrumentality of the federal government, or a designee of such federal instrumentality, which is responsible for regulating an introduction of a genetically engineered organism into the environment under the Coordinated Framework. See Virginia Code 2.2-5501
- Locality: means any county, city or town located within the Commonwealth. See Virginia Code 2.2-5501
- Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
- Regulated introduction: means a planned introduction into the environment for which the Coordinated Framework requires that the person proposing to commence the introduction into the environment do one or more of the following:
1. See Virginia Code 2.2-5501
- state agency: means the same as that term is defined in § 2. See Virginia Code 1-206
B. To assist in the preparation of comments, the Department may do any or all of the following:
1. Hold an informational meeting on the proposed regulated introduction;
2. Provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed regulated introduction;
3. Request any additional information necessary on the proposed regulated introduction from the person providing information under § 2.2-5503;
4. Conduct a technical review of the proposed regulated introduction; and
5. Seek the assistance of the faculty and academic staff of any Virginia public institution of higher education, the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Environmental Quality, or any other appropriate state agency or organization, including but not limited to an institutional biosafety committee, in reviewing the proposed regulated introduction.
C. To assist in the preparation of comments, affected localities may do either or both of the following:
1. Hold an informational meeting on the proposed regulated introduction. When possible, that meeting shall be held in conjunction with an informational meeting held by the Department; and
2. Provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed regulated introduction.