CFIA considers application for reduced lignin engineered alfalfa

Thursday, May 23, 2013

by SUSAN MANN

Monsanto Canada Inc. and Forage Genetics International are seeking Canadian Food Inspection Agency approval to commercialize their alfalfa that has been genetically engineered for reduced lignin.

A notice on CFIA’s website states the companies have filed an application for the unconfined environmental release and livestock feed and food uses of their genetically engineered alfalfa. Their alfalfa line is called KK179.

CFIA spokesperson Elena Koutsavakis says by email the “unconfined environmental release” means it would be released into the environment with limited or no restrictions “generally toward commercialization.”

This product is different than genetically engineered Roundup Ready alfalfa, which was approved by CFIA and Health Canada for food, feed and environmental release in 2005, she says.

In Canada, any genetically engineered plant product must be thoroughly assessed by Health Canada and CFIA and approved by them before it can be released into the environment or used as feed or food, she says.

The approval process for genetically engineered plant products is based on internationally recognized scientific guidelines and involves several steps, including assessments of the potential impact of the product on the environment and on human and animal health. BF