A federal district judge on Friday issued a ban on future planting of genetically modified sugar beets sold by Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON).
In September 2009, the Court had found that the USDA had violated the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by approving the
Monsanto-engineered biotech crop without first preparing an
Environmental Impact Statement.
Friday's ruling prohibited any future planting and sale pending the
agency’s compliance with NEPA and all other relevant laws.
The crop was engineered to resist the effects of Monsanto’s Roundup
herbicide, which it sells to farmers together with the patented seed.
Similar Roundup Ready crops have led to increased use of herbicides,
proliferation of herbicide resistant weeds, and contamination of
conventional and organic crops, according to plaintiffs in the case, which include the Center for Food Safety, Organic Seed Alliance, High Mowing Organic Seeds, and the Sierra Club.
In July, Monsanto won a limited victory in the Supreme Court concerning its Roundup Ready alfalfa.
Read additional coverage of Friday's decision at the link below.
