CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) -- Specialty seed producers and some agricultural organizations have gone to court hoping to block state approval of canola production in the Willamette Valley.
They say the action threatens Oregon's $32 million specialty seed industry. Some farmers want to grow canola for processing into cooking oil or biodiesel fuel.
Seed-crop farmers fear canola will cross-pollinate related plants such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and turnips. They fear that could contaminate the seeds they sell to production growers and gardeners.
The Corvallis Gazette-Times reports the suit was filed Wednesday in the Oregon Court of Appeals.
It asks for an injunction against a Department of Agriculture rule from last week that permits farmers to plant canola around the edges of the valley.
