From the Wall Street Journal:

A Dec. 27 editorial, "Ag Department Uproots Science," discusses a pending U.S. Department of Agriculture decision on genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa and my asking diverse groups to meet. My goal was simple: to determine if common ground exists that advances all interests, including those of farmers of GE crops, conventional and organic producers. But agricultural issues are complex and rarely lend themselves to simple solutions.

The editorial suggests USDA had abandoned science-based decision-making, which is certainly not the case. As a regulatory agency, we must base decisions on sound science, and science strongly supports the safety of genetically engineered alfalfa.

Ag Secretary: I Was Just Looking for Common Ground