The order is in effect until the court
rules on a lawsuit filed by opponents of GE canola planting who say it
threatens the state’s $32 million specialty seed industry.
The lawsuit and court order are in response to new rules, not subject to required public comment, that would allow for the planting of GE canola in areas previously deemed off-limits.
Similar to the threat of pesticide drift faced by organic farmers, is the threat of genetic drift -typically pollen from a field of a GE crop being carried by wind or pollinators like honey bees, which are known to travel six miles or further.
While organic food is not currently tested for GE drift contamination the way it is spot-checked for pesticides, consumers paying a premium for organic food demand purity.
Therefore, the growing threat of genetic contamination is a serious issue facing organic farmers as well. This July, Beyond Pesticides joined with farmers and environmental groups across the country to appeal a February court ruling dismissing Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association et al v. Monsanto.
The plaintiffs in this case are suing preemptively to protect
themselves from being accused of patent infringement should their crop
ever become contaminated by Monsanto’s genetically engineered seed,
something Monsanto has done to others in the past.
Help us protect organic integrity! Visit the Organic page and become a part of the efforts to protect the organic integrity.
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