[image: canola-field,right,220×286,502d3a4f04b555000c000028]

The Oregon Court of Appeals in Salem has put on hold the Department of Agriculture’s temporary rule on canola cultivation. The group Friends of Family Farmers and other seed growers sued over the state’s decision to allow one-point-seven million acres of canola to be grown in the Willamette Valley.

Growers are worried about cross-pollination, and cite concerns that genetically modified canola could taint specialty crops.

But other groups see the rule as a good compromise. Tomas Endicott with the Willamette Biomass Processors says that canola could be a productive and profitable rotation crop for some farmers.

“These are growers who typically grow grass seed and wheat on non-irrigated ground and they really need a broad-leaf crop to rotate in order to control pest, disease and weed issues.”

The stay means that the court will decide whether to grant an injunction on the new rule. A temporary injunction would prevent canola from being planted in the valley until a permanent decision is reached.

This story originally appeared on Oregon Public Broadcasting.