Orders Canceled Over Monsanto-Modified Wheat

Officials at U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed that plant samples from an Oregon farm are genetically-modified wheat.

APHIS says tests showed the wheat is the same "Roundup Ready" variety that Monsanto was authorized to field test in 16 states, including Oregon, from 1998 to 2005.

"Roundup Ready" means the wheat is resistant to Roundup, Monsanto's glyphosate-based herbicide, used to kill weeds.

Japan, which is a one of the largest importers of American wheat, has canceled its orders of western white wheat from the Pacific Northwest, and also of some feed-grade wheat.

The European Union says it will test incoming shipments of U.S. wheat and block any that test positive for genetic modification.

Genetically-engineered wheat was never approved for commercial production in the U.S.