Once again an organic crop has been contaminated by a genetically engineered crop. This time the European Commission’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed found the GE traits in German flax seed that came out of Canada. The Organic Trade Association of Canada reports that “the GE flax in question, called ‘Triffid,’ was designed specifically to withstand applications of synthetic chemical pesticides.”
When will the organic community say ENOUGH! BASTA! GENUG! ASSEZ! In the US alone organic sales are over $25 Billion dollars annually. We are no longer a marginal voice, but we must be a unified voice. It’s time to put pressure on our politicians to protect our basic freedom to operate an organic farm or business.
The Biotech community has been granted the freedom to operate without accountability, and yet we lack the basic rights of protection of private property (which agriculture products are) that are the foundation of western law. This goes against the basic conventions of good and bad neighbor agreements in which a neighbor who damage the private property of another neighbor, either by direct or indirect actions of their person or property (including biological entities such as animals and plants) is responsible for those damages. There is an immense historical record in common law and tort law that backs this position.
Organic Seed Alliance will be hosting a meeting of the organic community to discuss contamination issues this winter at our State or Organic Seed Symposium. We will discuss how to work as a community to address the contamination in organic systems, and develop action plans for maintaining the integrity of organic seed and food systems. Look for updates on the State of Organic Seed Report and Symposium on our web site soon on the Advocacy Page.
