2005

Roundup Ready^® alfalfa completed review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and went on the market in 2005.

2006

A federal lawsuit was filed in early 2006 by the Center for Food Safety in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, citing the failure to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) by USDA.

May-07

The District Court halted the further sale or planting of Roundup Ready alfalfa seed pending completion of the EIS by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). However, the Court permitted continued use and sale of Roundup Ready alfalfa crops as forage, subject to a series of restrictions.

Aug-07

USDA, Forage Genetics International, Monsanto and several Roundup Ready alfalfa growers filed an appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeal was heard before a three-judge panel in June 2008.

2-Sep-08

A panel of three judges of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 against Monsanto and Forage Genetics, allowing the injunction to continue. Afterward, Monsanto requested a re-hearing of the case before the entire Ninth Circuit Court, arguing again that the injunction was improper.

24-Jun-09

The Ninth Circuit Court denied the request for rehearing. The dissenting opinion in the case opposed the decision and argued the district court had little or no evidence to support its view, stressing the Court was required to defer to the scientific views of APHIS experts and should have permitted continued planting of Roundup Ready alfalfa prior to completion of the EIS.

26-Oct-09

Monsanto filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing the injunction should not have been ordered without an evidentiary hearing, and that it imposed unnecessary restrictions and costs on alfalfa hay and seed growers. Monsanto and Forage Genetics urged the appellate court to fully consider the scientific evidence and narrowly tailor any relief ordered pending the governmental agency completion of an EIS.

Late 2009

USDA/APHIS announced the 60-day open comment period for the draft EIS would occur between December 18, 2009 and February 16, 2010.

15-Jan-10

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the Roundup Ready alfalfa case.

Mar-10

The U.S. Supreme Court issues a court brief about the Roundup Ready alfalfa case.

20-Apr-10

Monsanto files reply brief to the U.S. Supreme Court.

27-Apr-10

U.S. Supreme Court hearing

21-Jun-10

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Monsanto, 7-1 and reversed the lower court’s ban on Roundup Ready alfalfa. The opinion of the court stated the district court abused its discretion when it prohibited the planting of Roundup Ready alfalfa in 2007.

16-Dec-10

USDA announced the EIS had been completed and described potential paths for future planting of Roundup Ready alfalfa in early 2011.

27-Jan-11

USDA announced the decision to authorize the resumption of sale and planting of Roundup Ready alfalfa, effective February 2, 2011.