eNEWS
February 2010 > GE Alfalfa Comment Period Through Feb. 16
The public interest non-profit Center for Food Safety (CFS) sued the Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2006 for its illegal approval of Monsanto's genetically engineered (GE) Roundup Ready alfalfa. The federal courts sided with CFS and banned Genetically Engineered (GE) alfalfa until the USDA fully analyzed the impacts of the plant on the environment, farmers, and the public in a rigorous analysis known as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). USDA released its EIS Dec. 14, 2009. Comments must be submitted by Feb. 16, 2010. This is the first time the USDA has done this type of analysis for any GE crop. Therefore, the final decision could have broad implications for all GE crops.
According to the CFS, analysis of USDA's EIS makes clear that the agency has failed to take seriously the impacts that deregulating GE alfalfa will have on non-GE alfalfa farmers, organic dairies and consumers. USDA's EIS acknowledges that GE contamination may happen and includes studies that bees can cross-pollinate at distances much further than any distances under Monsanto's "best practices." However, despite the acknowledged risk of genetic contamination, USDA's preliminary determination is to once again deregulate GE alfalfa without any limitations or protections for farmers or the environment.
The U.S. Supreme Court decided Jan. 15, 2010, to hear a first-time case about the risks of GE crops. The case before the high court, Monsanto v. Geertson Seed Farms, No. 09-475, will be yet another step in an ongoing battle waged by the CFS to protect consumers and the environment from potentially harmful effects of GE crops.
Alfalfa is the fourth most widely grown crop in the U.S. and a key source of dairy forage. It is the first perennial crop to be genetically engineered. It is open-pollinated by bees, which can cross-pollinate at distances of several miles, spreading the patented, foreign DNA to conventional and organic crops. Such biological contamination threatens the livelihood of organic farmers and dairies, since the U.S. Organic standard prohibits genetic engineering, and alfalfa exporters, since most overseas governments also reject GE-contaminated crops.
Food certified to USDA National Organic Program standards must be produced and handled without the use of genetic engineering. To learn more about organic standards call 352.377.6345 or email fog@foginfo.org.
RESOURCES
Comment on GE Alfalfa
The Organic and Non-GMO Report "USDA stance on GM alfalfa threatens “fabric of organic industry”"