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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Jackson County Commissioners support GMO lawsuit resolution ... Tree thinning leads to road and trail closures in Ashland watershed ... Four local artists collaborate on piece to challenge themselves ... Jackson County Commissioners support GMO lawsuit resolution ... Tree thinning leads to road and trail closures in Ashland watershed ... Four local artists collaborate on piece to challenge themselves ... GMO Jackson County Commissioners support GMO lawsuit resolution Agreement forged by pro and anti-GMO farmers The Jackson County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to support a proposed resolution of a lawsuit over genetically modified crops. By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Dec. 8, 2015 @ 12:16 pm By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Dec. 8, 2015 @ 12:16 pm » RELATED CONTENT • Alfalfa farmers reach settlement over Jackson County's GMO ban... » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> The Jackson County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to support the proposed resolution of a lawsuit over the county's ban on growing genetically modified organisms. Farmers with alfalfa genetically modified to withstand herbicide will be able to keep their crops growing for up to eight years and will not be required to remove the plants, as otherwise would be required under the GMO ban voters approved in May 2104. News of the commissioners' vote in favor of the agreement will be sent to a federal judge, who will decide whether to approve an agreement resolving the lawsuit. GMO alfalfa farmers Bruce Schulz of Gold Hill and James and Marilyn Frink of Sams Valley had filed a lawsuit against the county, arguing they would lose more than $4.2 million if they were forced to remove their crops. After months of negotiations, the anti-GMO Our Family Farms Coalition, the Center for Food Safety and the farmers reached the proposed agreement to allow the crops to remain for up to eight years, the coalition announced Monday. "I applaud the efforts," Commissioner Rick Dyer said. "It seems to be well crafted to protect the interests of the parties involved." Dyer said the agreement would respect the will of Jackson County voters. "It's the best outcome for all involved in the case," Commissioner Coleen Roberts said. The agreement stretches out for eight years because that is the expected lifespan of a GMO alfalfa crop, Jackson County Counsel Joel Benton said. Other farmers who grow GMO crops in the county can take part in the agreement if they step forward and identify themselves and the GMO crops they grow. The crops must have been planted before the county's ban was adopted, Benton said. The agreement applies to perennial, rather than annual, crops and covers the projected lifespan of a crop, he said. Jackson County has not enforced the GMO ban because of the potentially costly lawsuit filed by the GMO alfalfa farmers. The county will not take enforcement action against the GMO alfalfa farmers or any GMO farmers who step forward and opt in to the agreement, Benton said. "It prevents claims against the county for the loss of the value of crops," he said. The voter-approved GMO ban allows other people to file complaints about GMO crops. The proposed lawsuit agreement will not block other parties from filing complaints. However, if no one files a complaint during the eight years, the lawsuit case will be officially closed and dismissed, Benton said. Our Family Farms Coalition Director Elise Higley said she was pleased with the commissioners' support of the agreement. "I'm happy with the decision and I think it's a fair settlement," she said. Higley said there are relatively few GMO farmers in the county and the GMO ban benefits agriculture in the county long-term. Some nations have rejected imports of GMO crops and crops they fear may have been contaminated by GMO plants. Some consumers are also wary of GMO ingredients. GMO supporters say humans have been manipulating plants and animals for thousands of years and genetically engineered organisms can have traits that are valuable to farmers and others, including increased productivity. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Dec. 8, 2015 @ 12:16 pm » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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