Opposition to Genetically Modified Sugar Beets
isc | Jan 22, 2010
A federal court is being asked to ban genetically modified sugar beets from being planted or processed, effectively halting nearly half the nation’s sugar production until the crop’s safety is determined, reports the Billings Gazette.
The injunction sought against sugar beets genetically altered to resist the powerful herbicide Roundup could force farmers to do an about-face. Roughly 95 percent of the nation’s sugar beet acres were planted with Monsanto-created Roundup Ready beets last year, including 68,000 acres in Montana and Wyoming.
Sugar beets were a $45 million crop for Montana farmers in 2007, according to the most recent data available from the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Values weren’t available for Wyoming. Western Sugar Cooperative, which refines sugar in Billings, did not respond to requests for comment. Cal Jones, president of Wyoming Sugar, said that for legal reasons he couldn’t discuss the matter.
Luther Markwart of the American Sugar Beet Growers Association said no public statements would be made until the association’s attorneys reviewed the 122-page motion.
Read the whole story … click here.
