Alfalfa is the fourth most grown field crop in the U.S. behind corn, soybeans and wheat. It was grown on 17 million U.S. acres and worth approximately US$8 billion in 2012 according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In August a farmer from Washington notified the USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that alfalfa from a non-GMO field on his farm was rejected for export because it tested positive for GM alfalfa. Although RoundUp Ready alfalfa is approved for commercial production in the U.S. many buyers, especially foreign buyers require non-GM alfalfa. Because alfalfa is a perennial plant that is pollinated by bees critics have stated that avoidance of cross-contamination would be near impossible. However, because GM alfalfa is legal in the U.S. the USDA is considering whether action needs to be taken or if any action should be left to the market.
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