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Smith Comments on Sugar Beet Restriction

Press Release

Date: Aug. 16, 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Agriculture and Food Environment

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, today commented on the recent ruling by a federal judge in California which reversed the five-year-old approval of Roundup Ready sugar beets. Nearly 95 percent of sugar beets grown in the U.S. are Roundup Ready.

The ruling allows sugar beet growers to harvest beets already planted on more than 1 million acres across 10 states, but unless action is taken additional planting won't be allowed until the USDA submits an environmental impact statement, an examination which may not be ready until 2012 at the earliest.

"This is a ruling which has the potential to disrupt an industry which is vitally important for western Nebraska. Our producers in Nebraska and nationwide need certainty, and I promise to do everything in my power to help ensure sugar beet growers aren't going to be left out in the cold next planting season," Smith said.


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