Oregon Public Broadcasting

A California judge decided Tuesday not to force Oregon farmers to pull their sugar beets out of the ground. Judge Jeffrey White was critical of the potential impacts of the genetically modified beets. But he said the preliminary injunction that organic farmers requested went too far and would cause too much economic harm. Attorney Paul Achitoff represented organic farmers. Even though his side lost, he was optimistic."I'm not that surprised, but I am very encouraged by Judge White saying specifically in his order that ‘quote' the parties should not assume that the court's decision to deny a preliminary injunction is indicative of its views on a permanent injunction.' Frankly, at this stage, I don't think the plaintiffs could have asked for much more," he said.Last September, Judge White found that the federal government broke the law by not conducting environmental reviews before de-regulating modified beets. The feds are doing those reviews now, but they may take years.Judge White's order Tuesday pressed farmers to plant conventional seeds, in the meantime. Biotech industry reps are voicing concern about Judge White's views. There's another court date in July.