No GM Alfalfa pending environmental review

The federal court stepped in to ban the genetically modified alfalfa produced by Monsanto Co., pending a thorough review of the crop’s impact on the environment.

The ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday leaves Creve Coeur-based Monsanto with two options. It can appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court or hope for regulatory approval after the Agriculture Department completes a comprehensive environmental review. (stltoday.com)

Environmental groups and alfalfa-seed farmers sued the government in 2007 over its decision to release GM alfalfa without reviewing how the crop can potentially affect the environment. According to this news, the case marks the “first time a thorough environmental review has been required for regulatory approval of a genetically modified crop”.

And I am surprised that there wasn’t a thorough review in the first place, before Monsanto even invested acres of land on planting GM alfalfa. Isn’t it breeding 101 to test the impact of introduced crops or animals? I mean, the US Customs is so strict about bringing live plants, fruits and animals on board planes from overseas, and yet the Department of Agriculture did not have measures in place to test for this new technology.

Image: sxc