Syngenta to comply with Jackson County GMO crops ban

A spokesman for Syngenta, the Swiss biotechnology firm that grows genetically engineered sugar beets in Jackson County, says the company will comply with a measure passed recently that bans genetically engineered crops.

"If we can no longer cultivate or grow any GE crop there, then we wouldn't do it,"  Paul Minehart, a spokesman for Syngenta, said in a recent phone interview. "Whatever the provisions are, of course, we would abide by the law."

Syngenta leases a number of fields around Jackson County to grow its sugar beets for seed sales. But its co-existence alongside organic growers in the narrow Rogue River Valley has caused friction.

The FBI investigated two middle-of-the-night incidents last June, when a person or group destroyed about 6,500 Syngenta sugar beet plants genetically engineered to stand up to the herbicide Roundup.

The company is assessing its options, Minehart said. He declined to say whether the company would destroy its beet crop, leave Jackson County altogether, plant other non-GMO crops or challenge the measure in court.

"Syngenta is disappointed in the outcome of the vote, which will now limit farmers' choice to grow the crops they want in Jackson County," he said in an emailed statement. "We look forward to remaining a good neighbor in the region and believe that area farmers can continue to work together -- as we always have -- to ensure that all forms of farming and crops can be grown here without undue burden for anyone while offering opportunities for everyone."

The company gave $75,000 to the opposition campaign, which raised about $930,000.

Measure 15-119 passed with about 66 percent in support.