Organic farming advocates were among the most ardent opponents to recent U.S. Department of Agriculture approvals of genetically modified crops, and now some say the key to preventing similar decisions in the future may be a narrow definitions of organic farming. For now, potential cross-pollination from g-m crops is not considered in the organic farming standards, Dan Charles of National Public Radio reports on "All Things Considered." If an organic farmer "plants non-[genetically modified] seed and uses organic methods, the harvest is organic, even if a few stray genes blew in," Charles writes.
Some anti-biotech activists like Ronnie Cummins, from the Organic Consumers Association, argue that organic farmers must move past simple compliance with organic regulations, in order to limit g-m contamination. "If you're not willing to sue the person who pollutes the organic crop and really undermines organic integrity, then we're not going to stand up for you," Cummins told Charles. "You've got to do the right thing." Most U.S. corn, which Charles calls one of the "most promiscuous cross-pollinators," is genetically modified, meaning that most organic corn in the U.S. typically contains anywhere from half a percent to 2 percent g-m organisms.
Charles Benbrook, chief scientist for the Organic Center, told Charles the anti-GMO campaign could result in a loss of trust from consumers in organic food. "It would be a shame for the momentum behind the growth in the organic livestock industry to be siphoned off or diverted because of one-tenth of 1 percent contamination in a source of animal feed," he said. Benbrook claims the only way to eat food with absolutely no GMO contamination is to import food from Europe, which is "hardly a welcome solution for people who see in the organic food industry the best hope for positive change and innovation in the U.S. food system." (Read more)
Some anti-biotech activists like Ronnie Cummins, from the Organic Consumers Association, argue that organic farmers must move past simple compliance with organic regulations, in order to limit g-m contamination. "If you're not willing to sue the person who pollutes the organic crop and really undermines organic integrity, then we're not going to stand up for you," Cummins told Charles. "You've got to do the right thing." Most U.S. corn, which Charles calls one of the "most promiscuous cross-pollinators," is genetically modified, meaning that most organic corn in the U.S. typically contains anywhere from half a percent to 2 percent g-m organisms.
Charles Benbrook, chief scientist for the Organic Center, told Charles the anti-GMO campaign could result in a loss of trust from consumers in organic food. "It would be a shame for the momentum behind the growth in the organic livestock industry to be siphoned off or diverted because of one-tenth of 1 percent contamination in a source of animal feed," he said. Benbrook claims the only way to eat food with absolutely no GMO contamination is to import food from Europe, which is "hardly a welcome solution for people who see in the organic food industry the best hope for positive change and innovation in the U.S. food system." (Read more)
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