Genetically engineered sugar beets resistant to the herbicide glyphosate have been given non-regulated status by U.S. inspection authorities.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said the variety, commonly referred to as Roundup Ready (RR), was safe for widespread distribution from Jul. 20.

APHIS conducted an environmental impact statement, a risk assessment and held three public meetings examining thousands of comments regarding its analyses.

"Our determination of non-regulated status of RR sugar beets reflects this hard work and will become effective upon publication of the record of the decision in the Federal Register," the agency announced in a statement.

It decided the variety posed no more pest risks than traditionally bred sugar beet and was just as safe,

Photo: Cropenergies

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