Oregon Public Broadcasting

A federal judge in California has overturned a decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to deregulate a type of genetically modified sugar beet. As David Nogueras reports, the ruling bars farmers from planting Round-up Resistant Sugar Beets after this season.

Five years ago, the agro-giant Monsanto petitioned the USDA to allow the use of its genetically modified sugar beets.

The USDA granted the request and Center for Food Safety and other plaintiffs sued in response.

The plaintiffs argued the agency approved the product without first determining the environmental impact as required by federal law.

Genetically modified sugar beets, they argued, might inadvertently pollinate non-modified plants. 

This latest ruling allows the sugar beets already in the ground to be harvested, but bars further planting until the Environmental Impact Statement is complete.

Almost all of the seed used to plant the crop comes from Oregon's Willamette Valley.

Representatives for Monsanto say they are reviewing the ruling.