Vilsack Urges Farmers to Mix Biotech, Traditional Crops

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says farmers could see less government interference if they find a way for traditional and genetically engineered crops to co-exist.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says farmers could see less government interference if they find a way for traditional and genetically engineered crops to co-exist.

Farm groups and the biotechnology industry are skeptical of Vilsack's "co-existence" proposal. He launched it last month at the same time the Agriculture Department said planting restrictions might accompany deregulation of biotech alfalfa.

Vilsack says the biotech alfalfa is safe. An even-handed compromise among growers would better than repeat litigation over rules for biotech crops, he said. The alfalfa dispute went to the Supreme Court and a U.S. appeals court is hearing a case on biotech sugar seeds. Most U.S. farmers oppose government intrusion on their property.

"Every farmer ought to be able to do what he or she wants to do on their land, so we are going to continue to have that conversation," Vilsack said at the recent American Farm Bureau Federation's annual convention in Atlanta.

Page 1 of 51
Next Page