Roundup Ready Sugar Beets Deregulated

Roundup Ready sugar beets are officially deregulated. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced its decision to give genetically engineered sugar beet seed non-regulated status. The agency made it's record of decision today (Friday, July 20, 2012) in the Federal Register.

American Sugarbeet Growers Association Executive Vice President Luther Markwart welcomes USDA's announcement says this gives our farmers a choice in planting this technology. USDA's announcement is a product and a result of a 800 page comprehensive, final environmental impact statement. Markwart says the announcement confirms that Roundup Ready sugar beet are not likely to pose a plant pest risk.

Pending court cases involving Roundup Ready sugar beet seed required APHIS to conduct a thorough assessment of the seed variety resistant to the herbicide glyphosate before making their decision.

Since 2006 sugar beet growers have planted Roundup Ready sugar beet seed. Additionally litigation over two court cases continue in a U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. It is not known at this time when a Judge will make a ruling over Roundup Ready sugar beet seed.

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