The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), for the first time in history, is considering placing limits on where, when and how glyphosate-tolerant (GT) alfalfa can be planted. At first glance, once might dismiss this by saying, “Roundup Ready Alfalfa would only be planted on a small number of acres.  It’s not that big of a deal.”

It is a big deal, however, when you consider the precedent this would set for other biotechnology-derived crops.  In 2009, there were 158 million acres of biotech crops planted in the United States, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications.

For 25 years, the United States regulatory system for biotechnology has been the world leader based on a consistent, science-based decision-making process.  We must act now to ensure the regulatory status of GT-alfalfa does not threaten the U.S.’ status as a world leader in agriculture.

Science, not politics, should be the driving factor in the USDA’s handling of GT-alfalfa.  Perhaps the Wall Street Journal, in a Review and Outlook piece published Dec. 27, 2010, stated it best when it printed:

“While it may not be one of the major biotech crops, alfalfa is a regulatory test that could open the gate for similarly politically driven negotiations on non-organic crops from sugar beets to soybeans. If nonscience criteria are introduced as considerations for allowing the sale of biotech crops, the effect would be disastrous for the USDA’s regulatory reputation. We hope Secretary Vilsack makes his decision based on science, not politics.”

ROUNDUP® READY ALFALFA COULD SET PRECEDENT FOR MAJOR CROPS, LIKE SOYBEANS

While most Americans were preoccupied with holiday preparations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Dec. 16, 2010, released its final environmental impact statement (EIS) outlining potential environmental effects of deregulating alfalfa that is resistant to glyphosate, a.k.a. Roundup® herbicide. 

An editorial on Dec. 27, 2010, by the Wall Street Journal, stated:

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has invited activists and biotech critics to shape the agency’s regulatory decision on a biotech product.  If the precedent stands, it could permanently politicize a system that is supposed to be based on science.

Sec. Vilsack is proposing to deregulate Roundup Ready alfalfa with “conditions” that include a mandatory minimum planting distance, so organic fields of alfalfa wouldn’t be contaminated.  Approximately 20% of U.S. alfalfa acres would fall into the “no plant zones,” according to Idaho-based Forage Genetics. 

Other critics have suggested that traditional farmers should accept liability for any contamination of organic crops.  Just imagine the impact this could have on major biotech crops like soybeans!  About 90% of U.S. soybean acres are planted to Roundup Ready varieties. 

Those of us in ag states have been somewhat protected from the financial blow that has hit America.  However, bad policy could turn our industry into a destructive tailspin. That’s why it’s imperative for agricultural groups to make their voices heard now as a final decision is expected as soon as Jan. 23.

Click here to contact your Congressional representative, your U.S. senators and the USDA.

Click the links below for related articles or background information about the USDA’s handling of Roundup Ready alfalfa:

• Concerns associated with “conditional deregulation”
• http://www.agrimarketing.com/show_story.php?id=64664
• http://blogs.das.psu.edu/tetherton/2011/01/03/luddites-at-the-usda-door/