A federal judge has ruled that genetically-modified sugar beets created by notorious Frankenfood-producer Monsanto were planted illegally, without proper environmental review. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White said the plantings must now be destroyed, in what could be the first forced destruction of a GMO crop in the United States -- and could open the door for future rulings to keep Americans safe from potentially dangerous GMOs.

Reports Agence France-Presse:

Paul Achitoff of Earthjustice, the lawyer for the plaintiffs [the Center for Food Safety and other groups], said the US Department of Agriculture, which was named as the defendant for issuing the permits "thumbed its nose at the judicial system and the public by allowing this crop to be grown without any environmental review."

At issue is the planting of so-called Roundup Ready beets that allow the agribusiness giant Monsanto's Roundup herbicide to be used without harming the crops themselves.

"Herbicide resistant crops just like this have been shown to result in more toxic chemicals in our soil and water," Achitoff said.

"USDA has shown no regard for the environmental laws, and we're pleased that Judge White ordered the appropriate response."