The sale of genetically modified alfalfa seeds in the United States would be disastrous for New Zealand farmers, according to an opponent of GM there.
Oregon alfalfa farmer Phillip Geerston has been involved in legal action against the manufacturer of the GM seeds for the crop, more commonly known here as lucerne.
Developed by the Monsanto Corporation, the seeds are engineered to be resistant to the company's herbicide, Roundup.
Mr Geerston successfully challenged their sale in a district court but, on appeal, the US Supreme Court recently lifted the ban.
Agriculture Department approval required
American farmers can't start planting the seeds yet, however, as they still need approval from the US Department of Agriculture.
Mr Geerston expects that that won't be easy, as the potential environmental consequences of the product need to be known.
"It cannot be sold until they do a complete environmental impact [report], which has not yet been done," he says.
Mr Geerston, who has tried to promote alfalfa seed production here, says it would be disastrous for New Zealand if genetically modified seeds were allowed to be freely planted in the US.
