USDA Concludes GM Bentgrass Investigation

The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has concluded an investigation into the alleged compliance breach by the Scotts Company, LLC. APHIS entered into a settlement, wherein Scotts has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $500,000, to resolve allegations that the company failed to comply with performance standards and permit conditions on field trials of the glyphosate-tolerant creeping bentgrass. The service also claims that Scotts failed to ensure, in an Oregon Field Trial, that neither the GM bentgrass nor its offspring will persist in the environment. Creeping bentgrass is a perennial grass used largely for golf courses and fairways.

The fine paid for by Scotts is the maximum penalty allowed by the Plant Protection Act of 2000. In addition, Scotts agreed to conduct three public workshops for other GM crop developers and interested parties. The workshops will focus on best management practices and technical guidance on the identification and prompt resolution of biotechnology compliance incidents.

Read the press release at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2007/11/0350.xml