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Most people in the organic industry want to see the government crack down more on genetically engineered crops. It is disappointing, then, that many in Congress are taking the opposite step. A group of 75 members of Congress recently sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, urging the USDA to allow limited planting of Roundup Ready alfalfa.
The move follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned a lower court decision that placed a nationwide ban on all planting of genetically modified seeds.
Several industry groups also supported the letter encouraging lifting restrictions on GE alfalfa, including the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). Land O'Lakes also supported the letter.
The timing is significant because the fall planting season for alfalfa is just around the corner.
Land O'Lakes President and CEO Chris Policinski said: "We appreciate the support of the members of Congress who signed this letter because it shows their commitment to help American farmers increase food production and provide a growing population with wholesome, affordable food - both here in the U.S. and around the world."
While conventional dairy farmers may feel they see benefits from genetically modified alfalfa, the crop is bad news for organic farmers. Many organic crops have been contaminated by drift from genetically modified crops grown nearby. | 
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