Supreme Court Delivers Positive Decision on Roundup Ready. Alfalfa

On June 21, 2010, the Supreme Court lifted a nationwide ban on the planting of genetically engineered alfalfa seeds. In a 7-1 vote, the court reversed a federal appeals court ruling that prohibited the selling of Roundup Ready alfalfa seeds, which are resistant to the popular weed killer Roundup. Justice Stephen Breyer did not participate in the case. However, the Court recognized that the product remains regulated pending completion of an EIS, and ordered Roundup Ready alfalfa be retruned to the USDA for appropriate regulatory action.

The Supreme Court ruling is good news for alfalfa growers and for American farmers because it confirms the importance of the use of safe, beneficial technologies such as Roundup Ready. alfalfa to generate the food production that will be needed to feed a growing global population.

We are pleased with the Supreme Court's decision and look forward to the USDA giving its approval, which is necessary to clear the way for bringing Roundup Ready. alfalfa back to the U.S. market in the near future. We believe the Court's ruling is a strong indication that decisions about agriculture technology should be based on solid data and sound science.

"We are especially encouraged by the Supreme Court decision," said Mark McCaslin, President of Forage Genetics International, "and we look forward to the USDA's decision, which could once again enable growers to utilize this important technology and reap the benefits it provides." 

Click Here to ready a copy of the Supreme Court ruling.

Roundup Ready Alfalfa is currently not for sale or distribution. The movement and use of Roundup Ready Alfalfa forage is subject to a USDA Administrative Order available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/pdf/RRA_A8_final.pdf.

Monsanto Company is a member of BIO’s Excellence through Stewardship (ETS) Initiative. This product has been commercialized in compliance with the ETS and Monsanto Product Launch Stewardship policies, after meeting applicable regulatory requirements in key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all necessary regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Monsanto encourages growers to talk to their grain handler to confirm their buying position for this product.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS.

Roundup Ready crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup agricultural herbicides. Roundup agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not tolerant to glyphosate.  Roundup and Roundup Ready are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC.2008 Monsanto Company.

Roundup and Roundup Ready are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. Excellence Through Stewardship is a registered trademark of Biotechnology Industry Organization.