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Supreme Court to hear alfalfa biotech arguments
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments this Tuesday in the case involving Roundup Ready alfalfa. According to DTN, it will be the first time the Supreme Court has delved into a case involving biotech crops.
At issue is whether a federal judge went too far in banning the planting of Roundup Ready alfalfa in 2007. That ruling, which was based on environmental concerns, was upheld by a court of appeals.
Monsanto has been joined by other business and legal groups in arguing that, if the ban stands, it could impact future biotech releases by making nationwide injunctions almost automatic. Monsanto officials say the high court’s ruling will have a long-standing effect, not just on alfalfa growers, but on all farmers who use biotechnology. A similar case involving Roundup Ready sugarbeets is currently under consideration by a judge in California.
Given problem of pollen drift and the tendency of Monsanta to sue the minute they find their gene in crop (even if it got there by pollen drift), the ban should stay in place if for no other reason to protect the producers of non-GMO alfalfa seed from pollen drift and potential legal hassles from Monsanto.