Supreme Court Delivers Positive Decision on Roundup Ready(R) Alfalfa

ARDEN HILLS, Minn., June 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Supreme Court found that a lower court was in error when it placed a nationwide ban on the planting of genetically engineered alfalfa seeds. In a 7-1 vote, the court reversed a federal appeals court ruling that prohibited the selling of Roundup Ready® alfalfa seeds, which are resistant to the popular weed killer Roundup®. Justice Stephen Breyer did not participate in the case.

The Supreme Court ruling is good news for alfalfa growers and for American farmers because it confirms the importance of the use of safe, beneficial technologies such as Roundup Ready® alfalfa to generate the food production that will be needed to feed a growing global population.

"We are pleased with the Supreme Court's decision and look forward to the USDA giving its approval, which is necessary to clear the way for bringing Roundup Ready® alfalfa back to the U.S. market in the near future," said Mark McCaslin, President of Forage Genetics International. "We believe the Court's ruling is a strong indication that decisions about agriculture technology should be based on solid data and sound science. We are especially encouraged by the Supreme Court decision, and we look forward to the USDA's decision, which could once again enable growers to utilize this important technology and reap the benefits it provides."  In a nationwide survey, growers report yield benefits of about $100 to $115 per acre. 

For more information, go to www.roundupreadyalfalfa.com.  

Forage Genetics International, LLC. (www.foragegenetics.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Land O'Lakes, Inc., is the world leader in the development, production and marketing of alfalfa germplasm and traits that add value to their seed customers, and to livestock producers and other alfalfa end users.

SOURCE Forage Genetics