The Pima County Board of Supervisors is making agriculture-technology company Monsanto wait until next year before signing off on tax incentives to bring a new operation to the Tucson area. 

Monsanto plans to build a seven-acre greenhouse near Marana. But the company is waiting on a letter of approval from the county to break ground. 

At Tuesday’s board meeting many people spoke out about the potential health impact of Monsanto's plan to use genetically modified seeds. Rep. Richard Elías represents the county’s 5th District and shared those same concerns. 

“Environmental destruction and environmental poisoning is nothing new to us [in District 5],” he said. “And so we have a strong sense that we need to protect ourselves, protect the earth, and protect the place we live … even if we don’t have regulatory power. We have to exercise common sense over what we have.” 

The Board of Supervisors said they plan to create an agricultural science advisory committee and a Monsanto representative said the delay will provide a good opportunity to address some of the concerns. 

The board voted to revisit the property tax deal in February.