APHIS Rules GE Alfalfa Not a Plant Pest Risk

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) has determined that KK179 alfalfa, a genetically engineered
(GE) crop that was created “to express reduced levels of guaiacyl lignin, a
major subunit component of total lignin that slows the digestion of cellulose
in livestock, as compared to conventional alfalfa at the same stage of growth,”
is unlikely to constitute a plant pest, thus granting Monsanto Co. and Forage
Genetics International’s petition for nonregulated status. APHIS found no
significant impact following several opportunities for public comment on the
petition and the preparation of an environmental assessment. See Federal
Register, November 10, 2014.

Issue 545