Organic farmers in the US are seeking court rulings against genetically modifying sugar beets.

The organic farming lobbies have complained that pollen from genetically altered sugar beets, could take over their own crops, rendering them unsaleable.

A federal judge has been asked to halt the plantings nationwide with an injunction that would be likely to not only stop the genetic beet plantings, but also lower overall US sugar supplies.

About half of US sugar comes from the biotech beets which are planted on more than 1 million acres in 10 states.

The genetic beets are engineered to be resistant to Monsanto's popular herbicide Roundup.

Organic farmers and food safety advocates have already won a lawsuit forcing federal authorities to reconsider their 2005 approval of the Roundup Ready beets for unrestricted use, due to cross-pollination risks.