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USDA Proposal to Deregulate Genetically Engineered Alfalfa

<p>
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is currently considering whether to deregulate genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa (known as &quot;Roundup Ready&quot; or &quot;RR&quot; alfalfa). Despite USDA&rsquo;s own environmental impact statement that states that RR alfalfa is safe and is not a plant pest, USDA might impose geographic restrictions on the crop. Not only would that defy scientific precedent and legal authority, but such a policy would burden the majority of U.S. growers by eliminating &quot;farmer choice&quot; and dictating what crops can be grown and where.</p>

Farmers Successfully Practice Coexistence

USDA must base its decision to deregulate GE alfalfa on science and within its existing statutory authority

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering whether to deregulate genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa (known as "Roundup Ready" or "RR" alfalfa), ahas proposed an approach that would defy scientific precedent and legal authority.

By considering a proposal to deregulate alfalfa with restrictions, USDA would be basing a regulatory authorization on a socio-economic consideration rather than a science-based consideration. This would be contradictory to its science based conclusion that GE alfalfa is safe and not a plant pest.

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