Executive Order 13874: Modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Agricultural Biotechnology Products
President: Donald J. Trump
Directed Agriculture, EPA and FDA to review agricultural biotechnology regulations, reduce unnecessary overlap and provide a more predictable path for products, while maintaining their statutory safety responsibilities.
Status: In effect. Is Executive Order 13874 still in effect? Yes. Executive Order 13874 remains in effect. See Federal Register record.
What does Executive Order 13874 do?
USDA published its SECURE biotechnology rule in May 2020, changing APHIS review of certain engineered plants in phases through 2021.
Evidence review, September 23, 2026: USDA subsequently adopted its SECURE biotechnology regulation, updating parts of the oversight framework addressed by the order.
Before and after
Before the order
USDA, EPA and FDA shared oversight of agricultural biotechnology under their separate statutes; developers faced overlapping and sometimes uncertain review paths.
After the order
USDA published its SECURE biotechnology rule in May 2020, changing APHIS review of certain engineered plants in phases through 2021.
The order directed coordination and regulatory review; USDA's SECURE rule is one subsequent agency action. EPA and FDA retain their own statutory authorities, and the rule does not establish that every product is exempt.
Who had to do what
| Agency / official | What the signed order directed | Deadline / timing |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary of Agriculture | Identify streamlined or exempt regulatory treatment; jointly plan a unified biotechnology website; fund it through agreements; review genome-edited specialty-crop burdens and report progress; develop domestic consumer engagement and international outreach plans; consult on the trade strategy. | Streamlining, website plan and domestic engagement within 180 days of June 11, 2019; international outreach within 120 days; progress every 90 days for two years. |
| EPA Administrator | Identify streamlining and appropriate exemptions; jointly plan and support the website; review genome-edited specialty-crop burdens and report progress; consult on consumer engagement and international outreach. | Streamlining and website plan within 180 days; progress every 90 days for two years; outreach within 120 days. |
| FDA Commissioner | Identify streamlining and appropriate exemptions; jointly plan and support the website; review genome-edited specialty-crop burdens and report progress; consult on consumer engagement and international outreach. | Streamlining and website plan within 180 days; progress every 90 days for two years; outreach within 120 days. |
| Secretary of State | Jointly develop the international biotechnology outreach strategy and consult on the trade strategy. | Within 120 days. |
| United States Trade Representative | Develop a trade strategy addressing biotechnology barriers and market access; consult on international outreach. | Within 120 days. |
| Trade Policy Staff Committee | Consult with USTR on the biotechnology trade strategy. | Strategy due within 120 days. |
Source: Signed Federal Register text.
Later developments
Later authority: USDA published its SECURE biotechnology rule in May 2020, changing APHIS review of certain engineered plants in phases through 2021. (May 18, 2020)
What happened next
EO 13874 signed.
USDA published its SECURE biotechnology rule in May 2020, changing APHIS review of certain engineered plants in phases through 2021.
Guide checked against signed order and later official evidence.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
The order directed coordination and regulatory review; USDA's SECURE rule is one subsequent agency action. EPA and FDA retain their own statutory authorities, and the rule does not establish that every product is exempt.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on September 26, 2026. How we research →