A federal appeals court in San Francisco earlier ruled that genetically modified sugar beet plants that would produce seeds for the 2012 planting season should be destroyed. But a U.S. Court of Appeals has put on hold until February 28 the order to dig up 256 acres of sugar beet seedlings, or until it issues an order, whichever is first.
The Sugar Industry Biotech Council says sugar beets, grown on 1.3 million acres in 10 states, provide half the nation’s sugar supply. Environmental groups and organic seed organizations claim wind-blown pollen from the genetically engineered crops will contaminate conventional sugar beets and other closely related plants.
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