announced Thursday that it has decided to allow unrestricted commercial planting of 鈥檚 Roundup Ready alfalfa.
The alfalfa has been genetically-engineered to tolerate the herbicide , known commercially as .
In its for the crop, released in December, the USDA proposed two options: either allowing commercial planting with no restrictions, or limiting where the alfalfa could be grown.
The decision to grant non-regulated status to the Monsanto seed line means farmers can plant it anywhere they want.
The USDA initially approved the crop with no restrictions in 2005, but was forced to reconsider its decision when sued over concerns the genetically-engineered alfalfa could contaminate organic fields.
