LAKE COUNTY — A countywide ban on genetically engineered (GE) crops is back up for discussion Tuesday. The Lake County Board of Supervisors will consider an ordinance to amend county code to prohibit cultivation of GE crops for the second time.
A ban on genetically modified alfalfa failed in 2005, when the board voted it down 3-2. The Coalition for Responsible Agriculture, a Lake County group, proposed the ban back then. The coalition advocated for a similar ordinance earlier this year, and a workshop was held in April to discuss the technology. Board Chairman Ed Robey will bring the proposed ban to the table for discussion Tuesday.
“I feel that this ordinance addresses the need to protect our agricultural economic interests as well as the public health and safety concerns associated with this technology,” Robey wrote in his memo to the board.
The ordinance says federal and state governments do not have regulatory systems “sufficient to ensure public health, environmental safety and freedom from genetic contamination in agriculture.” It proposes a six-month jail term for using GE seeds.
Lake County Farm Bureau Executive Director Chuck March said the bureau has opposed a ban on GE crops since 2004. He said GE crops have proved safe during the last 20 years with no adverse health effects found.
Genetically engineered agriculture includes the use of seeds that were genetically modified to be resistant to certain herbicides so that farmers can spray the crops without killing them.
“Farmers live on their land and eat the food they grow. This is a technology. It”s like having to throw out a computer because you don”t like computers,” March said.
He continued, “We feel that everyone should have equal opportunity to raise and market crops, whether they are conventional, biotech or biodynamic.”
One concern 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.
Genetically modified alfalfa seeds are off of the market after a federal judge banned the use of the seeds in April, according to a National Public Radio report. According to March, GE corn has been planted in the county, but alfalfa is the only commercially viable GE crop Lake County could produce.
“We”re not going to see small, backyard operations get involved with this. This is a commercial-style operation. We don”t raise corn commercially, we don”t raise cotton and we don”t raise soy beans,” March said.
Robey said taking GE alfalfa off of the market does not eliminate the need for a ban. He said research shows GE-free crops carry a higher market value.
March disagreed, and said crops must already be GE-free to be certified organic.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com, or call her directly at 263-5636 ext. 37.
