USDA SEEKS COMMENT ON DRAFT EIS FOR GENETICALLY ENGINEERED ALFALFA
News Date December 15, 2009
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced the availability of a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) that evaluates the potential environmental effects of deregulating alfalfa genetically engineered (GE) to be resistant to the herbicide glyphosate, known commercially as Roundup. This GE alfalfa is commonly referred to as Roundup Ready (RR) alfalfa.
APHIS considered two alternatives in the draft EIS: 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. More information can be found on the APHIS webpage. A document with frequently asked questions on the issue is also available online. (Contact: Bob Ehart)