Congressional Research Service Report Released: Deregulating Genetically Engineered Alfalfa and Sugar Beets: Legal and Administrative Responses

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), the public policy research arm of Congress, just issued the report Deregulating Genetically Engineered Alfalfa and Sugar Beets: Legal and Administrative Responses (Sept. 10, 2012). The brief 18 page report authored by Tadlock Cowen and Kristina Alexander discusses the current status of the situation involving the deregulation genetically engineered crops and the Monsanto Corporation,

the developer of herbicide-tolerant varieties of genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa and sugar beet (called Roundup Ready alfalfa and Roundup Ready sugar beet), petitioned USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for deregulation of the items. Deregulation of GE plants is the final step in the commercialization process. Monsanto filed a petition for deregulation of its GE alfalfa in 2004, and for GE sugar beets in 2005.