(Washington, D.C.) - Montana's senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus announced a victory for Montana sugar beet growers. In response to repeated requests from Baucus, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has given Roundup Ready sugar beets the green light for unrestricted cultivation and harvest. The decision means certainty for almost 100 percent of the nearly 31,000 sugar beet acres grown in Montana.

"One in five Montana jobs is related to agriculture - and the sugar beet industry is a bright spot in this sector. Today's news is a win for Montana jobs and will give our sugar beet growers the certainty they need to continue to put folks to work and drive our economy forward," said Baucus.

Prior to today's announcement, a lawsuit requiring the USDA to complete an Environmental Impact Study on Roundup Ready sugar beets created uncertainty for farmers and threatened almost all of Montana's sugar beet acreage. Today's ruling issued by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health inspection Service is a final regulatory determination on the matter. Full details on the ruling are available to the public ONLINE HERE.

TIMELINE OF BAUCUS' FIGHT FOR MONTANA SUGAR BEET FARMERS:

·        June 13, 2012 - Baucus led the Senate in defeating an amendment to the Farm Bill that would have gutted a program that protects Montana sugar beet farmers from volatile markets. More information HERE.

·        February 4, 2011 - Baucus successfully presses USDA to allow Montana sugar beet farmers to move forward with spring planting. News is available online HERE.

·        January 27, 2011 - Baucus urges Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to allow sugar beet farmers to plant crops during Environmental Impact Study. Baucus' letter to Vilsack is online HERE.