USDA Needs Your Comments on Roundup Ready Alfalfa
Dear Friends
Since 2007, there has been a court ordered injunction prohibiting the planting of Roundup Ready Alfalfa. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has opened a public comment period allowing farmers and producers to express their thoughts on the value and benefit of this technology.
We have four requested action
- As AFACT members, please show your commitment to technology and provide your thoughts on Roundup Ready Alfalfa to the USDA
- Consider attending one of the USDA public hearings
- Ask 5 - 10 other farmers to send their comments to USDA and attend the public hearing
- Please invite those 5-10 farmers to join AFACT
How to provide Roundup Ready Alfalfa comments:
You may comment online using the USDA site or you may get help creating your letter at the Roundup Ready Alfalfa site.
What should I write?
It is best to provide your personal experiences on your farm with the use of biotechnology like modified corn, cotton, soybeans, sugar beets, etc. The Roundup Ready Alfalfa site has a downloadable “Tool Kit” with sample benefits of the technology, such as:
- Dependable and cost-effective control
- Improved efficiency of farming operation
- Economic benefits
- Consistent, high-quality, weed-free forage and hay
- Improved environmental quality
- Improved worker safety
- Response to opponents’ claims
How do I attend a public hearing of the USDA?
The USDA has scheduled public meetings to hear comments on this issue January 19, 2010 and on February 3, 4 and 9, 2010. Meetings will be held:
Tuesday, 1/19/2010 in Las Vegas, NV
Location: Golden Nugget Hotel, 129 Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (local time)
Wednesday, 2/3/2010 in Kearney, NE
Location: Buffalo County Fairgrounds Exhibit Center, 3807 Avenue N., Kearney, NE
Time: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (local time)
Thursday, 2/4/2010 in Lincoln, NE
Location: Holiday Inn Haymarket, 141 North 9th Street, Lincoln, NE
Time: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (local time)
Tuesday, 2/9/2010 in Riverdale, MD
Location: USDA Center at Riverside, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD
Time: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (local time)
Registration for all meetings will take place 30 minutes before the meeting starts.
How do I help other farmers send comments to the USDA?
Forward a link to this page or print copies to hand out at meetings of Ag organizations like your County Farm Bureau.
How do I encourage fellow farmers and other industry people to join AFACT?
- Share why it is important for agriculture to speak out on the benefits of technology to produce safe, nutritious and affordable food in the most environmentally sustainable manner.
- When farmers have approved technologies, they must have the right to choose the products and concepts that work best on their farms.
- AFACT provides support to farmers who tell their stories to the food chain and consumers about their farms, families and why modern production practices are valuable.
- Please ask them to join AFACT by registering online at www.itisafact.org or by calling (800) 340-0737 for an application.
Thank you for helping to protect your right to choose the best production practices for your farm!
The AFACT Leadership Team
