Monsanto asks court to allow sale of GMO alfalfa (#3 ends the Hat Trick)

[nosmokes]

i know it's impolite to enjoy the misfortune of others, but in their case i hope y'all don't mind if i make an exception because i'm just downright gleeful over any troubles that might cause these folks trouble at all.
--###--


originnal-National Post

Monsanto asks court to allow sale of GMO alfalfa
Reuters
Published: Sunday, March 25, 2007

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Monsanto Co. has asked a San Francisco federal court to allow it to continue selling its genetically modified Roundup Ready Alfalfa while the USDA conducts a court-ordered environmental impact study.

Monsanto, its seed distributors and growers stand to lose up to $250 million if the alfalfa, which was designed to survive the company's Roundup herbicide, is taken off the market for the two years it takes to complete the study, the company said in court papers filed late on Friday.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer halted the sale of the modified alfalfa at the request of farmers, environmentalists and consumer advocates who say that it could harm the U.S. economy and the environment.

The judge voided the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2005 approval of Roundup Ready Alfalfa, finding the agency had not conducted a full environmental impact statement. Breyer banned seed sales and gave farmers until March 30 to plant seeds they had already purchased.

Judge Breyer has set a hearing for April 27 to consider the plaintiffs' request for a permanent injunction.

Alfalfa, a fodder crop pollinated by bees and wind, is among the most widely grown crops in the United States, along with corn, soybeans and wheat.
~snip~
.
.
.
complete article here

[RaleighNCDUer]

1. IMO, there needs to be more study on the effect of GM crops on

pollinators - US bee populations are crashing and it can't all be ascribed to mites. If there is some unnoted molecular change in the pollen the bees collect that is interfering with their life cycles it needs to be found.

Or, as I understand it some GM crops are designed to not reproduce, forcing farmers to buy new seed every year - what effect are these crops having on pollinators?

Without pollinators, no crops. Without crops, no US breadbasket.

GM monoculture could produce famine IN THIS COUNTRY if we are not very vigilant. We need to fully understand it before we use it.

[msongs]

2. Monsanto is the enemy of the human race and all other beings nt