LAKE COUNTY — A possible moratorium on genetically engineered agriculture in Lake County is back up for discussion after it died on the table three years ago. A workshop to discuss developments since then and to educate the public and the Lake County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for May 6.
Genetically engineered agriculture includes the use of seeds that were genetically modified to be resistant to certain herbicides, according to Lake County Farm Bureau Executive Director Chuck March. The modification means farmers can spray modified crops for weeds without killing the crops.
In a 3-2 vote in 2005, the Lake County Board of Supervisors rejected a ban on genetically engineered alfalfa, the only genetically engineered crop that would be commercially viable, according to March. Coalition for Responsible Agriculture, a Lake County group, proposed the ban back then and proposed a similar ordinance banning the use of genetically modified seeds to current board chair Ed Robey.
“There are people who are very adamant on this issue, on both sides. People are saying farmers should be free to use what they want, others say we don”t need to be guinea pigs for big companies who make this, and it”s so new that nobody knows what the long-term effects are. I”m trying to take the middle path and really find out what the issues are,” Robey said.
One issue is cross-pollination, according to March. When seeds from flowering plants inadvertently land in neighboring fields, the unwitting recipient can be held legally liable for growing genetically modified plants without permission. March said growers sign contracts with the seed manufacturer that regulate how the plants are grown and prohibits growers from keeping the seeds.
“One argument in favor (of a ban) would be that it would make our crops more valuable by being able to place on the label that the product is ?GM ? free,”” March said. He added that after consulting University of California economists, he disagrees with that argument.
The Coalition for Responsible Agriculture is revising a proposed ordinance that would ban the use of the genetically engineered seeds in Lake County. It would make using the seeds punishable by a jail term of six months.
“Before we sit down and look at an ordinance, I thought it might be a good idea to have a workshop for educational purposes,” Robey said. The board of supervisors will not act on an ordinance at the May 6 workshop, Robey said. He said he plans to ask the board members whether or not they want to pursue such an ordinance.
Robey said he is still researching the matter.
“Since 2005, a number of other counties ? Marin, Trinity, Santa Cruz and I”m not sure who else – passed ordinances to prohibit the use of genetically engineered crops. Why are other counties taking this action?” Robey said.
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