LAKEPORT — More than 20 citizens spoke during Tuesday”s Lake County Board of Supervisors public meeting on a status report of the drafting of a proposed ordinance regulating genetically engineered (GE) crops.
District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing presented the BOS with a draft of the potential ordinance and updated the other supervisors on the drafting process.
The draft ordinance outlined a regulatory system for allowing the growth of registered GE crops in the county, in what Rushing referred to as a “compromise” between the concerns of organic farmers and traditional farmers.
The draft stated that the BOS recognized that “a precautionary approach is required in order to allow the coexistence of (GE) crops with traditional and organic crops in Lake County and simultaneously maintain the public health, safety, and welfare of all residents.”
Rushing said it would be “very difficult to legislate this compromise” upon review of the draft ordinance.
Any farmer wanting to grow a GE crop would have go through a registration process before being allowed to grow the crop, according to the draft ordinance.
“From my view, regulation is problematic,” Rushing said.
The majority of citizens who spoke Tuesday voiced disdain with a potential regulatory system that would allow any growth of GE crops in Lake County, instead sharing desires for a total ban of GE crop production.
Speakers included local organic farmers, scientists, environmental activists and concerned citizens.
Concerns with potential coexistence voiced Tuesday included the possibility of lake contamination, possible contamination of the county”s organic farms because of pollen transfer and potential health risks for residents.
The county has made no determination of potential effects of GE crops. “Whether and to what extent (GE) crops have the potential to cause harm to persons, the environment, and/or organic crops is unknown,” as stated in the draft ordinance.
The hour-long public discussion on GE issues began at 3:55 p.m., nearly 2 1/2 hours later than the scheduled start time.
The BOS took no action regarding the draft ordinance, which was published Tuesday morning, as the purpose of the agenda item was to present a status report of the drafting process.
The BOS did give consensus in support of drafting letters to state legislators and federal regulators indicating Lake County”s support of requiring the identification of GE ingredients on food labels.
A completed letter will be presented to the BOS for approval at an upcoming 2011 regular meeting, Rushing said.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37.
