ENN: Scotts to pay $500,000 fine over biotech bentgrass
Published on November 27th, 2007
Posted in Uncategorized
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Scotts Miracle-Gro Co will pay a $500,000 fine over allegations it failed to comply with U.S. rules while testing a genetically engineered grass variety that could one day be used on lawns and athletic fields, the Agriculture Department said on Monday.
The settlement involves field tests in Oregon and 20 other states of creeping bentgrass modified to resist weed killers such as Monsanto Co’s Roundup. A golf course, for example, could be sprayed to kill weeds without hurting the grass. Genetically engineered grasses have not been approved by USDA.
The civil penalty is the largest allowed by the Plant Protection Act of 2000, according to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
