Judge close to ruling on GMO ban
A federal judge who listened to two hours of arguments in a lawsuit that challenges a southern Oregon county's ban on genetically modified crops says he might rule as early as next week.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Clarke is being asked to decide whether Jackson County's ordinance can take effect June 6.
County voters approved it overwhelmingly last May.
The county agreed not to enforce the ban until a lawsuit filed by GMO alfalfa farmers is resolved.
In Wednesday's arguments, a lawyer for the alfalfa farmers argued that the GMO ban is prohibited by Oregon's "right to farm" law.
Tom Buchele represents supporters of the GMO ban. He said the judge seemed to understand that it is designed to protect local farmers from contamination from genetically modified crops.
Posted on 5/21/15 7:47AM by Jared Dill
