BOULDER — Some railed against the Monsanto corporation, the agribusiness giant that could see its genetically engineered sugar beets gain a foothold in Boulder County open space.
Others warned that if the beets are planted, Boulder County would lose its status as the world leader in organically grown foods.
But after seven hours of passionate — sometimes heated — public input, Boulder County commissioners agreed early Wednesday that GMO (genetically modified organism) crops might have a place in the county’s 17,000 acres of farmland.
“I don’t think today is the right day to make a final decision about genetically modified beets,” said Commissioner Ben Pearlman. “They need to be part of a comprehensive look at what we want out of agriculture on our county’s open-space land.”
The commissioners agreed to hold off on any decision until planners develop a broader policy on agriculture in the county. That could take a year, say county staff members.
Besides GMOs, the policy would include plans for more organic acreage and ways to help sustain conventional family farming.
“We need a vision for what we want to have happen on our agriculture open space that we lease out for production,” Pearlman said.
A policy would perhaps help the county avoid any more “hand to hand combat” over genetically altered crops, added Commissioner Will Toor.
The six Longmont-area farmers who asked permission to plant the genetically enhanced sugar beats also requested a delay. They cited the rancor their application caused among organic growers and others in Boulder County.
“We had no idea this would become as emotionally charged as it has,” said Jules Van Thuyne Jr.
The farmers — as well as a group of agriculture experts — told the commissioners at Tuesday’s hearing that labor costs would decline if they used the Roundup Ready crops. The county farmers could be more competitive in a market already dominated by enhanced sugar beets.
“We were just asking to use another tool to let us succeed in this market,” Van Thuyne said.
Monsanto critic and local farmer Steve Demos said Boulder must hold on to its “aura” as a leader in the natural foods movement.
“Boulder is the epicenter for natural and organic foods,” Demos said. “Boulder is our brand, and everyone in the United States knows it.”
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
