Posted November 25, 2014
Two farms in Southern Oregon are requesting the court end the County’s voter-approved ban on genetically modified (GMO) crops or pay the farms $4.2 million, according to a Capital Press article available here. Oregon Live also published an article available hereand Mail Tribune here.
The farmers stated the $4.2 million compensation is the value of Roundup Ready alfalfa that would be destroyed if the ban stands.
The Jackson County Circuit Court lawsuitclaims that the ordinance is prohibited under Oregon’s Right to Farm Act, which protects farmers from laws that would punish them for the noise, smells, dust and other byproducts of agricultural activity that neighbors might find unpleasant. The farmers also requested for an injunction to stop enforcement of the ordinance until all legal arguments are considered, according to Oregon Live.
The ordinance allows research, health and educational facilities to continue using biotech crops, but limits other exceptions. Farmers with GMO crops in production are allowed to harvest this year but must remove the crops within 12 months.
If farmers do not comply, county officials are allowed to destroy the crops.
The farmers also claim that they would be forced to destroy 200 acres of Roundup Ready alfalfa resulting in a $2 million loss. Other crops would not be as profitable on their land and if were forced to wait four years to replant, customers would be lost, according to Mail Tribune.
For more information on food safety, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
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