Local Oregon GMO Ban Faces Legal Challenge

Written by Tyler R. Etter

On September 4, 2015, two local farmers in Oregon’s Josephine County filed a lawsuit to overturn a local ban on the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops. The ban was to be enforced beginning on September 5, but officials decided to delay enforcement while the lawsuit is pending.

The ban was originally approved in May of 2014. Farmers would be required to self-report if they were growing GM crops, and then submit a phase-out plan. Robert and Shelley Ann White, the farmers challenging the law, had devoted part of their farm to growing GM crops before the ordinance was passed. They claim that the law poses an immediate threat and irreparable injury due to the ban. They reportedly leased the land specifically to grow GM crops, such as sugar beets, for seed.

The basis of the legal challenges rests on the assertion that the ban is in direct violation of state law. Legislation was approved in October of 2013 that forbade local governments from imposing additional laws or regulations that would regulate farm practices, include GM bans. Only one county was given exemption, Jackson County. The Jackson County ban is also facing an ongoing legal challenge. The presiding judge found the ban wasn't preempted by state law, but has yet to decide if the farmer is entitled to damages for the ban's enactment.

Two More EU Member States Opt Out of GMO Cultivation

Written by Tyler R. Etter

On August 28, 2015, both Latvia and Greece made clear their intentions to utilize the European Union (EU) member state option to opt-out of the approval of the cultivation GMO crops. The two member states are the first to officially petition for the exercise of the option, but both Germany and Scotland have signaled their intentions to exercise the option.

Currently, there is only one GMO product approved for cultivation in the EU, the Monsanto corn product M810. The EU member state opt-out allows for individual member states to decide if the state will continue to allow the cultivation of an approved GMO product, or any future products that are pending approval.

In a statement about the opt-outs of these nations, Monsanto said that the opt-outs will not harm business, as genetic modification in Europe is only a small part of the operation. Further commenting, the company stated “Nevertheless, we regret that some countries are deviating from a science-based approach...” commenting on the continued concerns about the safety of M810, in what Monsanto claims “contradicts and undermines the scientific consensus...”

Following the announcement, environmental campaigners have taken to calling on additional nations to follow in the way of Latvia and Greece. Despite the wide use of GM products in the Americas and Asia, the European market shows continued fierce opposition to the use of these products.