USDA Seeks Comments on Genetically Engineered Alfalfa

The comment period for a draft environmental impact statement evaluating the potential environmental effects of deregulating alfalfa genetically engineered to be resistant to the herbicide glyphosate, known commercially as Roundup, has been ext

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The comment period for a draft environmental impact statement evaluating the potential environmental effects of deregulating alfalfa genetically engineered to be resistant to the herbicide glyphosate, known commercially as Roundup, has been extended 15 days, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced yesterday.

This genetically engineered alfalfa is commonly referred to as Roundup Ready alfalfa. APHIS considered two alternatives in the draft environmental impact statement: to grant nonregulated status to the two RR alfalfa lines, or to maintain the lines’ status as regulated articles. APHIS analyzed these alternatives with regard to their potential environmental impacts, socioeconomic impacts, as well as human health and safety impacts.

The comment period will now end on March 3, 2010. APHIS is seeking comment on the draft environmental impact statement and will consider all public comments submitted during the comment period before finalizing the statement or making any decisions regarding the regulatory status of Roundup Ready alfalfa. Preliminarily, APHIS concluded that there is no significant impact on the human environment due to granting nonregulated status to Roundup Ready alfalfa.

APHIS is also holding a series of public meetings where interested parties can comment on the draft environmental impact statement. Meetings took place in Nevada and Nebraska earlier this year. The final meeting, which will be held in Riverdale, Md., is now scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, 2010. The meeting will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the APHIS Conference Center, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, Md., 20737. APHIS has regulated the introduction (importation, interstate movement, and environmental release) genetically engineered organisms since 1986 and to date has authorized nearly 16,000 safe environmental releases of these plants and deregulated more than 79 others

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