USDA is accepting comments on a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for biotech sugarbeets until Dec. 13. The biotech crop, known commercially as Genuity Roundup Ready Sugarbeets and scientifically as Glyphosate-Tolerant H7-1 sugar beets, was first deregulated in 2005. USDA has undertaken the EIS in response to an August 2010 court ruling banning the planting and sale of the crop on administrative grounds.

Farmers were allowed to plant the crop this year with certain restrictions and pending USDA’s current review. NAWG supports full deregulation of the crop to allow farmers choice and certainty in their planting decisions. More information about this issue and instructions for commenting are at www.supportsugarbeets.com.