Roundup Ready® Alfalfa

On January 27, 2011, APHIS announced its decision to grant nonregulated status for alfalfa that has been genetically engineered to be resistant to the herbicide commercially known as Roundup. The final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Roundup Ready® Alfalfa (RR alfalfa) was published on December 23, 2010. APHIS was required to wait at least 30 days after the EIS was published in the Federal Register before issuing its decision. APHIS made its decision after conducting a thorough and transparent examination of alfalfa through a multi-alternative EIS and several public comment opportunities, and determining that RR alfalfa does not pose a plant pest risk.

APHIS prepared the EIS to comply with a February 2007 judgment and order by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. APHIS originally deregulated the lines of RR alfalfa in June 2005 and a lawsuit was subsequently filed. The judge vacated APHIS’ 2005 decision to deregulate RR alfalfa and determined that the Agency must prepare an EIS in support of a regulatory determination regarding RR alfalfa.