High court lifts ban on biotech alfalfa

[IDemo]

Lower court had blocked Monsanto from selling seeds

msnbc.com news services
updated 53 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court has lifted a nationwide ban on the planting of genetically engineered alfalfa seeds, despite claims they might harm the environment.

In a 7-1 vote Monday, the court reversed a federal appeals court ruling that prohibited Monsanto Co. from selling alfalfa seeds that are resistant to the popular weed killer Roundup. Justice Stephen Breyer took no part in the case because his brother, Charles Breyer, is the judge who issued the injunction.

It was the first Supreme Court decision involving genetically modified crops.

Environmental groups and conventional seed companies, led by Geertson Seed Farms, had sued the U.S. Agriculture Department in 2006 to force it to rescind its approval of the Monsanto alfalfa seed until it did a full environmental study.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37826335/ns/us_news-environment/