08/16/07 Roundup Ready alfalfa seed ruling appealed

Monsanto says it will go to court seeking to have an injunction lifted on Roundup Ready Alfalfa seed. A federal court in California imposed the injunction on the further sale and planting of the seed after a lawsuit was filed earlier this year by the Center for Food Safety and several alfalfa growers. Monsanto spokesman Michael Doane says their appeal is based on what they feel are inappropriate legal standards which resulted in blocking thousands of growers from using something they want. DOANE "We think that it is certainly within their right to have access to this technology. USDA had previously declared that the product was safe for humans and for livestock consumption and so we think this injunction is just way too broad based on the safety that's already been acknowledged and documented." Doane says Monsanto is telling farmers that they must comply with the federal court's injunction prohibiting any planting of Roundup Ready alfalfa seed after March 30 and they have to follow USDA's administrative order for stewardship and handing procedures. But Doane says their appeal aims to end all of that. DOANE "We know that if we're successful farmers will have access to this sooner rather than later and that's going to be important for them. It makes them more productive and adds profits to their alfalfa operations." We'll let you know what the court says about this appeal. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott