"Amid Court Pressure, USDA Eyes GMO Alfalfa Compromise"

"Amid complaints of environmental harm and pressure from a federal court, U.S. agriculture regulators are considering a compromise approval for genetically altered alfalfa that would allow the crop to be grown with certain restrictions aimed at protecting non-GMO crops, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Thursday.

The move marks a shift in policy at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to give more consideration to how genetically modified crops impact organic and non-genetically altered crops, and sets the stage for "co-existence" considerations for other biotech crops going forward.

The department is considering either unrestricted approval or approval with restrictions for the "Roundup Ready" alfalfa, which has been genetically altered to tolerate herbicide treatments, Vilsack said. A third option - to leave the crop as a regulated, unapproved crop - is not preferred, he said."

Carey Gillam and Chuck Abbott report for Reuters December 17, 2010.