USDA Completes Investigation of GE Wheat in MT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has completed an investigation into the release of a genetically engineered (GE) wheat event in Montana. On July 14, 2014 the USDA was notified that suspected GE wheat had been discovered growing at the Montana State University’s Southern Agricultural Research Center (SARC) where Monsanto researchers grew GE wheat as part of field trials between 2000 and 2003 under APHIS authorization. Upon investigation, APHIS confirmed that the wheat was genetically engineered to resist the herbicide glyphosate. The GE wheat volunteers were contained at the facility and did not enter commerce. Due to the delay in notifying APHIS of the presence of the GE wheat in the field Monsanto and Montana State have been issued warning letters for failing to adhere to required performance standards for field trials.

A copy of APHIS’s Report of Investigation can be found here.