MEDFORD, Ore. — Jackson County won’t be enforcing the ban on genetically modified crops approved by voters last May until a lawsuit filed by alfalfa famers is resolved.
The Mail Tribune reported an agreement to that effect has been filed in federal court in Medford.
The ban was to go into effect in June.
The ballot measure was put up by organic farmers fearful that genetically modified sugar beets grown for seed by the Swiss biotech giant Syngenta would contaminate organic crops.
A spokesman for Syngenta did not return calls for comment about its status in Jackson County.
OSU Extension Service administrator Phil Van Buskirk says he is not aware of anyone now growing GMO sugar beets in Jackson County.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
