Concern has grown in Europe over the agricultural and environmental impacts of genetically engineered (GE) crops, especially about gene flow to conventional varieties and wild relatives.  Contrary to most crops that are grown for their seed or fruit, sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is grown for its root.  Therefore, pollen-mediated gene flow in root production areas is not a concern in the debate on GE and non-GE crop co-existence, including table beet and chard in private gardens.  However, pollen flow could be responsible for the admixture of GE and non-GE materials in the seed lots provided to farmers; but it can be easily prevented by breeding and multiplicating GE and non-GE seeds in different regions.  In contrast, pollen flow to wild relatives could certainly generate agronomic trouble much more easily and quickly than with any other crop.