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0 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 Our View: Highway 62 bypass — just get it done ... Cooking up some fun ... After six years, wilderness trail is open ... Our View: Highway 62 bypass — just get it done ... Cooking up some fun ... After six years, wilderness trail is open ... LITIGATION Jackson County holds back on enforcing GMO ban for now County defends ban in filings, but says it will wait for court ruling Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 18, 2014 at 3:15 PM Updated Dec 18, 2014 at 5:20 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 18, 2014 at 3:15 PM Updated Dec 18, 2014 at 5:20 PM » Social News Jackson County won't enforce a voter-approved ban on the growing of genetically modified crops while the issue is being litigated in U.S. District Court. In a court document filed earlier this week, Jackson County agreed not to enforce the ban before the court issues a ruling. Two-thirds of county voters approved the ban during a May election. The county was sued in November by two local farm operations that grow alfalfa genetically engineered to withstand the application of Roundup, an herbicide used to kill weeds. The alfalfa farmers argued the ban violates Oregon's Right to Farm Act. If they were forced to tear out their GMO alfalfa, the farmers said they would lose $4.2 million. The county agreed not to enforce the ban to give the court adequate time to rule on the case and to save money for the county and the alfalfa farmers during the legal process, according to a court document. The county has presented initial arguments that the ban does not violate Oregon's Right to Farm Act and the alfalfa farmers are not entitled to payment of monetary damages or attorneys' fees by the county. Any harm to the alfalfa farmers is outweighed by the "social utility" of the ban, the county argued in a court document. On Dec. 10, the Our Family Farms Coalition — which spearheaded efforts to pass the GMO ban — asked Jackson County officials to fight the alfalfa farmers' lawsuit. The coalition of farmers who don't grow GMO crops also asked the county to enforce the ban while litigation is ongoing. Elise Higley of Our Family Farms Coalition said the group is disappointed in the county's decision. "We had hoped they would enforce the measure during this time because of the impacts to non-GMO farmers both locally and internationally," she said. "It's important to be protected. That's what the people voted to do." Farmers who don't use genetically modified seeds fear their crops could be contaminated via cross-pollination. Some consumers object to GMO products, and numerous countries have blocked imports of GMO crops or traditional crops grown in areas where GMO plants are also grown. Under provisions of the voter-approved ban, Higley said, non-GMO farmers could still take action against GMO farmers, thereby enforcing the ban themselves.  The lawsuit was first filed in Jackson County Circuit Court but was moved to U.S. District Court in Medford. Reach staff reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 18, 2014 at 3:15 PM Updated Dec 18, 2014 at 5:20 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501