The ruling in Center for Food Safety, et al. v. Vilsack (No. C 08-00484 JSW) revoked USDA's approval of genetically modified (GM) sugar beets until an environmental impact statement is completed. The decision, by Judge Jeffrey S. White of the Northern District of California, raised fears about the sugar supply because GM sugar beets make up about 95 percent of the crop grown in the US. The ruling also caused concern for farmers due to the lack of conventional seeds available. For more information on this ruling, click here to read a past US Ag&Food Law and Policy Blog Post on the subject.
In response, APHIS will issue permits "to sugar beet seed producers to authorize 'steckling' (i.e. seedlings) production this fall under strict permit conditions." APHIS "has also received and is evaluating a request for partial deregulation of Roundup Ready sugar beets." The measures also include a priority placed on the "expedited completion of the EIS [environmental impact statement], a process that is anticipated to take two years."
The court's ruling does not apply to GM sugar beet root and seed crops planted by August 13, 2010. These crops may be processed and sold as sugar or harvested and stored.
To read the USDA News Release, click here.
Posted: 09/02/2010
