Genuity™ Roundup Ready® Sugarbeets

by Monsanto

Healthy sugarbeets. USDA Photo by Scott Bauer. On September 21, 2009, U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey White ruled that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will have to complete an Environmental Impact Statement for Roundup Ready sugarbeets. This ruling focused on the process used by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in deregulating Genuity™ Roundup Ready® sugarbeets, and in no way questioned the safety or benefits of Genuity™ Roundup Ready® sugarbeets. The judge ruled USDA will be required to prepare a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement. Until now, only the plaintiffs (Center for Food Safety, Organic Seed Alliance, Sierra Club and High Mowing Organic Seeds) and USDA had a direct role in the initial “merits” phase of the case. Growers, processors, seed companies and tech suppliers will be able to play a more active role in late October during the next phase of the proceedings. Judge White’s decision has no immediate effect on growers producing biotech sugarbeets or on the processors. Genuity™ Roundup Ready® sugarbeet growes may harvest their crops and process them as usual. Additional Information: Statement by the Sugar Industry Biotech Council on U.S. District Court Decision.