Roundup Ready® Sugar Beet News

On October 11, 2011, APHIS announced the availability of a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) that evaluates the potential environmental effects of deregulating sugar beets genetically engineered (GE) to be resistant to the herbicide glyphosate, known commercially as Roundup. These GE sugar beets are commonly referred to as event H7-1 or Roundup Ready® (RR) sugar beets.

APHIS considered three alternatives in the draft EIS: denial of the petition seeking a determination of nonregulated status, to grant a determination of nonregulated status, or to extend the partial deregulation of RR sugar beets for the root crop, with mandatory conditions and restrictions.

APHIS is seeking public comment on the draft EIS and will consider all public comments submitted during the comment period before finalizing the EIS or making any decisions regarding the regulatory status of RR sugar beets. The comment period will be open for 60 days from the date of publication in the October 14, 2011, Federal Register.