Cross-posted from the Center for Food Safety
On May 11, 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) on the first-ever genetically engineered (GE), drought tolerant corn, MON 87460. USDA is currently accepting comments on this proposal, due July 11, 2011. The Center for Food Safety has begun reviewing the draft EA and our analysis shows that USDA has not adequately analyzed or accounted for the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts of this novel crop.
As with previous GE crop approvals, USDA’s proposal fails to comply with national environmental law, making the crop’s approval illegal. USDA’s proposal:
— Fails to adequately consider and protect organic consumers
— Fails to recognize that farmers and consumers have the right to choose non-GE products
— Fails to analyze the adverse environmental impacts of additional corn cultivation enabled by MON87460
— Fails to assess the environmental impacts of converting Conservation Reserve Program land to MON87460
— Fails to analyze the benefits of drought-tolerant organic corn as an alternative to MON87460
— Fails to use sound science and relies excessively on Monsanto data
Further analysis and environmental protections are necessary before any approval should be considered. Can you send USDA a quick note? Click here to provide your comments electronically or mail a letter to:
Docket No. APHIS-2011-0023
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD
APHIS, Station 3A-03.8
4700 River Road, Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238
