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  • From: "Ericka & Rich Dana" <doodles AT netins.net>
  • To: JCNews <jcnews AT yosemite.leepfrog.com>, orgaNicgrowing AT egroups.com, Market Farming List <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Organic Trade Association press release against GMOs
  • Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2000 10:35:17 -0800



**************************************************************
News Release -
Contact:
Sylvia Tawse (303) 415-9778;
Lisa Bell (303) 247-1100;
Holly Givens/OTA (413) 774-5484
www.ota.com

For Immediate Release Holly Givens (413) 774-7511
*****************************************************
OTA calls for moratorium on using GMOs in agriculture
*****************************************************
GREENFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 14, 2000) - Citing the adverse impact of
genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on organic production, the Organic
Trade Association (OTA) is calling for a moratorium on the use of
genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in all agricultural
production.

"More independent research and regulation are necessary before any more
GMOs are allowed in agriculture. As long as GMOs continue to be allowed,
organic producers are at risk from background levels of GMOs," OTA said in a
position statement released today.

Genetic engineering works by moving DNA between species in ways that are
not possible in nature. The use of this technology in agriculture has the
potential to cause unintended effects on the environment and on human
health, OTA pointed out. Organic certification organizations already
prohibit the use of GMO seeds or other products of GMOs in organic
production.

Although the certified organic label means GMOs are not used, OTA noted
that some organic products could inadvertently contain small amounts of GMO
material from exposure to pollen from GMO crops in the field or incidental
GMO ingredients in processing. Minor ingredients made from corn or soy, in
particular, must be carefully sourced to avoid GMO by-products.

At the very minimum, OTA said, there should be mandatory labeling of GMO
foods, with the real goal of an outright, worldwide moratorium on GMO use in
all agriculture. "Labeling should apply to all genetically engineered
products destined for food-not only raw agricultural products but processing
enzymes, yeasts, extractions, and other genetically engineered minor
ingredients as well," OTA said in written comments submitted to the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

OTA pointed out that organic producers take great care to offer customers a
quality product with only the limited use of synthetic processing materials
or ingredients. "Now, producers are faced with not only the problem of
contamination in the field but, more fundamentally, even the inability to be
sure
they are choosing non-genetically engineered minor ingredients-because they
are not labeled. The burden of labeling should not be on the producers of
conventional or organic food.

They are not the ones introducing this new technology. The burden should be
on the companies seeking to market these novel products."

OTA also supports the consumer's right to know and to choose foods and
other products based on environmental, personal health, religious, dietary
or other preferences.

"Labeling of GMO products or products containing GMOs is necessary to
making these choices," OTA said.

In addition to urging FDA to adopt mandatory labeling for GMO foods, OTA
has requested that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency halt the use of
GMOs, especially Bt plants. The comment to EPA was filed in response to
Monsanto's application for experimental use permits for three new strains of
Bt corn. Spelling out how Bt plants are harmful to organic agriculture, OTA
called the introduction of Bt plants without extensive scientific study
"irresponsible."

"Because of EPA's lack of oversight and consequent ignorance of the
negative effects of Bt plant pesticides, including the effects on non-target
species, EPA must now take significant steps to regain public confidence.
Until a transparent and scientifically rigorous process for setting
conditions for registration is established, these steps should include a
moratorium on the registration of genetically modified plant pesticides,"
OTA told EPA.

Urging EPA to immediately rescind the registrations of any low- or
moderate-dose plant pesticides, OTA added, "If EPA chooses not to enact a
moratorium on further registrations, it should require and monitor
scientifically sized refugia." Thus, at the very least, OTA wrote, EPA
should review and revise its policy regarding buffer zones, incorporate
independent ecological field studies, and insist on the creation of buffer
zones around Bt crops as part of the requirement for the use of Bt corn.

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the business association representing
the organic agriculture industry in North America. Its more than 1,000
members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers'
associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and
others. Founded in 1985, OTA encourages global sustainability through
promoting and protecting the growth of diverse organic trade.

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  • Organic Trade Association press release against GMOs, Ericka & Rich Dana, 01/29/2000

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