Agricultural News
Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas Holds Forum on RoundupReady Alfalfa and Questions US Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack
Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:14:03 CST
The House Ag Committee is holding a "Forum" on Roundup Ready Alfalfa and how the USDA has approached regulation of this genetically modified crop. The Chairman of the Committee, Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas has joined with two senior leaders on the minority side of the aisle in the Senate to question USDA's handling of genetically modified alfalfa.
In the opening statement given to the Committee by US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, the Secretary expressed the desire to get past all of the litigation over both alfalfa and sugar beets that has been tied up in the courts for more than five years in the case of both crops- litigation being brought by organic interests claiming that they will be harmed by pollen floating onto their land if these GE crops are allowed to get established.
Vilsack told the Committee "Some have questioned the need for this discussion and have suggested USDA is moving away from a science based, rules based decision making process. I want to reassure everyone that USDA will continue to adhere to a scientific, risk based decision making process and that our decisions will continue to be driven by science. I look forward to our discussion here and I hope you share my belief that farmers, ranchers, and growers are in the best position to decide what is best for their operations."
After Secretary Vilsack's opening statement, Congressman Lucas questioned the Secretary about the USDA role in this issue. Click on the LISTEN BAR below to hear the Q&A of Lucas and Vilsack.
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