Please go to the “Current News” tab for information on how to Participate/Comment on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Status of Roundup Ready Alfalfa

USDA deregulated Roundup Ready Alfalfa in June 2005, and FGI commercialized the product in August of that year. In late 2006 the Center For Food Safety and others filed a suit against USDA in San Francisco Federal Court claiming deficiencies in the Environmental Assessment process used by USDA/APHIS for deregulating Roundup Ready alfalfa. The judge ruled in favor of the Plaintiffs, specifically finding that the USDA environmental assessment should have included a “hard look” at the potential impact of Roundup Ready alfalfa on the development of glyphosate resistant weeds and on the economic environment, including potential economic impact on organic alfalfa producers. The ruling required USDA/APHIS to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and stopped any new sale or planting of Roundup Ready alfalfa after April 1, 2007 pending the completion of the EIS and a new deregulation decision by the agency.

The judge did not question the food/feed safety of Roundup Ready Alfalfa and allowed the continued harvest of existing Roundup Ready alfalfa hay and seed. USDA/APHIS stewardship requirements for harvest, labeling and movement of Roundup Ready alfalfa hay and seed can be found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/alfalfa.shtml

During their preparation of the EIS, USDA/APHIS will be soliciting feedback from alfalfa producers. The best opportunity for feedback will be during comment periods. A 30 day public comment period on the Notice of Intent to conduct an EIS was announced January 7, 2007. Please see the Current News tab for details on how to provide comment. Continue to check this page to learn when and how you can provide EIS feedback. Grower feedback is very important in this process. Your comments will make a difference.