Barbara H. Peterson
The real issue is NOT about labeling the 2% of GMOs grown that pollute 85% of our store shelves.
The real issue IS getting people to understand that unless genetically engineered crops (GMOs) are restricted, then our choice to grow and eat non-GMO will be a moot point because contamination will have ended our ability to choose.
The real issue IS about purity of the seed and support of real organic farmers versus genetic pollution and corporate control of all seeds pushed forward by agribusiness, which stands to eliminate both real organic food and small scale farmers if left unchecked.
Coexistence is a myth. What is real is that once your crop is contaminated with GMOs it is ruined, and if your neighbor grows GMOs, you will be contaminated.
Let’s Get Real!
Don Tipping from Seven Seeds Farm and Siskiyou Seeds speaks about the importance of small family farmers and of phasing out GMO crops in Josephine County, Oregon. Tipping discusses the need for refugia for food and seed integrity to avoid genetic contamination, and how co-existence is not possible in our narrow valleys.
What Are GMOs and Why Should I Care?
“We are non-profit organization made up of a group of concerned citizens working together to promote a GMO Free Josephine County, Oregon, through education, awareness and peaceful action, to preserve the integrity of our food and the freedom to grow it.”
WE BELIEVE All residents of Josephine County possess the fundamental and inalienable right to produce, harvest, consume, and distribute foods generated from safe, sustainable food systems which are non-toxic to people and ecosystems, while honoring the age-old heritage of seed saving.
We, as a group, embrace and promote only peaceful action for the good of our community and purpose.
A GMO (genetically modified organism) is the result of a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal…and never appear in nature.
This is totally different than conventional plant breeding or hybridization. GMO crops cross pollinate (via wind-drift , carriage by bees and other pollinators , etc.) and contaminate non-GMO and organic crops, farms and private gardens.
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) urges physicians to advise all patients to avoid GMO food.Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with consuming genetically modified foods including: infertility, immune problems, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and gastrointestinal systems.
Children, with their developing systems, are especially susceptible to the negative effects of a diet containing GMOs.
GMOs and their derivatives are said to be in upwards of 85% of all conventional processed foods in the United States. READ MORE…
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Tags: Barbara H. Peterson, contamination, Farm Wars, farming, farmwars, genetic engineering, GMO, gmo ban, josephine county, organic, pollution, tipping point
GMOs – Labeling the 2%
http://farmwars.info/?p=12862
Why does the EU import GM crops?
http://www.europabio.org/why-d.....t-gm-crops
“Europe imports a substantial portion of its animal feed, and a large part of the world’s supply is GM.
Around 30 million tons of grain are imported per year from third countries, including 13 million tons of soybeans, 22 million tons of soymeal, 2,5 million tons of maize, 2 million tons of oilseed rape and 0.1 million tons of cotton.
European animal farmers rely on soybeans imports for animal feed. Europe imports most of the soybeans it uses, and those imports are mostly GM from North and South America.”
Food for Thought: Europe is having GMO’s forced on them but they are fighting it. They lived GMO free for a number of years because they instituted labeling GMO food and took other measures such as burning down farmer’s fields who planted GMO’s.
Because of the labeling, people wholesale rejected the GMOs and Monsanto had no market. The only way they can get GMOs in to Europe now is if they force it, which they’re trying to do with legislation.
IMO, this is why labeling is important; of itself, it may not do much, but if everyone rejects GMOs, then there will be no market here for them.