A federal judge has revoked the government's approval of genetically altered sugar beets until regulators complete a more thorough review of how the scientifically engineered crops affect organic food.
Friday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White means sugar beet growers won't be able to plant the modified seeds after harvesting the biotechnology beets that are already in the ground.
Additional planting won't be allowed until the U.S. Department of Agriculture submits an environmental impact statement. That sort of extensive examination can take two or three years.
The genetically altered sugar beets provide about one-half of the U.S. sugar supply and some farmers have warned there aren't enough conventional seeds to fill the void.
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