Publication: Dunn County News
Date: Tuesday, August 21, 2007

MADISON — Conventional and organic farmers who raise alfalfa can determine if there are nearby fields of genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa by contacting a toll-free hotline offered by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Alfalfa, genetically engineered to resist the herbicide Roundup, has been available in the United States since 2005. As a result of a recent lawsuit, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has been directed to restrict and regulate the use of Roundup Ready alfalfa.

“As a perennial crop that is insect pollinated, GE alfalfa presents much greater risk of contamination of conventional plantings than other crops” said Laura Paine, organic agriculture specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. “This ruling puts in place some protections for organic farmers and others who wish to avoid growing genetically engineered crops.”

The National Organic Program prohibits use of GE plants and animals and the contamination of organic crops by GE crops is an issue of concern within the organic community. The new ruling recognizes the long-term challenges that may be created for non-GE alfalfa growers and seed producers if this technology were widely adopted.

The court order describes how growers and distributors must store GE alfalfa, label containers and clean equipment. The order applies to all Roundup Ready alfalfa planted between June 14, 2005, and March 30. Details on the court order are available on the USDA APHIS Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/pdf/RRA_A4_final.pdf.






APHIS has also made available a toll-free telephone number for use by conventional, organic alfalfa farmers and prospective alfalfa farmers to inquire about the proximity of their farms or fields to Roundup Ready alfalfa. This action is being taken in compliance with a judgment and order by the U.S. District Court in California.

According to the APHIS Web site, GE alfalfa is being grown in 58 Wisconsin counties. Location information can be accessed by calling 1-866-724-6408. The line is staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except holidays).

To receive information, a caller must be a person who either currently plants conventional or organic alfalfa or plans to do so, and must be ready to provide the operator with either the latitude and longitude coordinates or the mailing address of their farm or field where the alfalfa is or will be grown.

For more information on GE alfalfa, visit the USDA APHIS Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/alfalfa.shtml#alfalfalocations