As we reported yesterday, Monsanto has been given the go-ahead by a compliant Department of Agriculture to sell it’s Genetically Modified (GMO) sugar beet seeds for the spring planting. There are some restrictions designed to prevent contamination of organic farms with Monsanto’s designer genes, but very limited (See: Friday, the USDA quietly announced deregulation of Monsanto’s GMO sugarbeets)

Here’s a roundup of reaction from the organic community (We’ll update as we get more):

Paul Achitoff, lead counsel, Earthjustice:

It’s just window dressing…

The lax conditions on growing the GE sugar beets in today’s approval are not materially different from those earlier rejected by the federal court as inadequate to protect other farmers, the public, and the environment.

USDA has yet again violated the law requiring preparation of an EIS before unleashing this genetically engineered crop.

George Siemon, CEO, Organic Valley

This is a clear indication that the USDA is more interested in protecting the biotech industry than the health, safety, environment, and property rights of U.S. farmers and consumers who choose not to grow or consume GMOs.

In the wake of this and last week’s Roundup Ready® alfalfa decision, we must persist in challenging each release of GMO products, (22 more of which are currently in the pipeline).

The USDA has been using its antiquated regulations as an excuse for not thoroughly reviewing GMOs. We must fight in court to bring accountability to the USDA, and we must also take this fight to rural American farms and the grocery aisles.

If the government refuses to protect us, we can protect ourselves by refusing to purchase GMO seeds and foods. In this way we will create a united front against biotech and the regulations it has strong-armed through the USDA. I am confident that twenty years from now, organic agriculture will have won the war by demonstrating that organic is the right model for providing wholesome, healthy food for the planet.

Paige Tomaselli, staff attorney, Center for Food Safety:

There is clear evidence of harm to the environment from GE sugar beets. Because USDA continues to bow to industry pressure and permits further commercial production of Roundup Ready sugar beets, without first preparing an EIS or protecting the public, the Center for Food Safety will once again seek to halt the planting in court.

United front

A consortium of organic groups has already filed a brief opposing the early planting of Monsanto’s GMO sugar beats. This case is scheduled for a hearing on February 15. (View Amicus Brief – PDF)

Support from the organic industry includes:

Annies, Inc

Clif Bar & Co.

Eden Foods

the National Cooperative Grocers Association

the National Organic Coalition

Nature’s Path Foods, Inc

the Organic Farming Research Foundation

Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association

Organic Trade Association; Organically Grown Company

United Natural Foods, Inc.

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