Fairness for Organics: Preventing GE Contamination
Fairness for Organics,
Message from the Organic Farming Research Foundation
Date: 1/27/2011 10:10:54 AM ( 13 y ) ... viewed 16540 times
ATTEND THE OFRF THINK SPRING!
A LUNCHEON GATHERING OF ORGANIC STAKEHOLDERS
MEET
11:30 am-1:30 pm
March 11, 2011
This years OFRF Luncheon theme is Think Spring! Philippe Costeau is co-founder and CEO of EarthEcho International and Chief Ocean Correspondent for Animal Planet, will speak. EVENT AND RSVP INFO http://ofrf.org/events/events.html
Thursday, March 10, 2011 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Anaheim, CA Natural Products Expo West Anaheim Convention Center, 3rd Floor Ballroom B
By: Leslie Goldman
ORGANIC FARMING RESEARCH FOUNDATION
OFRF POLICY STATEMENT ON
PREVENTING GE CONTAMINATION
THE ORGANIC FARMING RESEARCH FOUNDATION
POLICY ON PREVENTING GE CONTAMINATION
OFRF Policy Statement on Preventing GE Contamination
Approved by the OFRF Board of Directors, December 15, 2010
Preventing Contamination by Genetically Engineered Organisms
Statement of Principles
Genetically engineered (GE) organisms pose a significant and growing threat to organic family farmers, their livelihoods, and the markets and communities they serve. The Board of Directors of the Organic Farming Research Foundation makes the following statement of principles on preventing the contamination of organic agricultural systems by GE organisms and crops.
Whereas:
The use of genetically engineered organisms is prohibited in organic agriculture;
There is widespread planting of GE crops in the U.S.;
Organically grown crops risk contamination from GE crops;
GE contamination can occur through biological or marketplace channels;
GE contamination results in product rejection and loss of markets for farmers, leading to the destruction of rural family businesses and farms;
The costs of preventing and testing for GE contamination are borne primarily by organic farmers and processors;
Consumers are demanding GE free products and the ability to distinguish between GE and non-GE products through labeling;
GE contamination of organic crops domestically will result in overseas sourcing for organic products;
GE contamination creates barriers for farmers who export to Europe and other countries who reject GE crops;
GE organisms threaten contamination of our seed stock, undermining our ability to ensure global food security; and
Organic agriculture provides multiple benefits to society and economic opportunity for family farmers.
THESE PRINCIPLES MUST BE APPLIED
The following principles must be applied when creating a policy framework to ensure the viability and continued growth of organic agriculture in the U.S. with respect to the persistence of GE crops and contamination risks:
Freedom of Enterprise:
Farmers have the freedom to grow non-GE crops without the undue barriers, burdens, and risks caused by GE contamination.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Barriers to farmer innovation and entrepreneurship such as GE contamination should be removed so that farmers are free to access new and lucrative markets without additional costs.
Fairness: Organic farmers should not have to bear the costs for damages to their crops and products caused by the actions of other farmers and companies.
Corporate Responsibility:
Patent-holders of technologies must be responsible for mitigation of damages to organic operations caused by the use of their GE products, as well as for the cost of preventing contamination.
Scientific Soundness: Policy decisions must be based on sound scientific assessments based on thorough, comprehensive, and independent research trials.
Appropriate Technology:
The acceptance of new technologies must be based on an assessment of the net risks and benefits of those technologies to society as a whole.
Transparency:
Information about the production and movement of GE organisms through the supply chain must be made available clearly and readily through labeling so that farmers and consumers who choose to avoid GE organisms can do so with ease.
Consumer Right to Know:
Consumers have the right to choose what they are eating, and to know how their food is grown and where it comes from.
Biodiversity: Society must support biologically diverse agricultural systems through the provision of equal opportunity and resources.
Organic Farming Research Foundation. P.O. Box 440, Santa Cruz, CA 95061
Copyright 2010 Organic Farming Research Foundation. All rights reserved.
Organic Farming Research Foundation
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 440
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
Physical address:
303 Potrero St., Ste. 29-203
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
phone: 831-426-6606
fax: 831-426-6670
email: info@ofrf.org
Media inquiries and press contacts:
Ted Quaday, Communications Director ted@ofrf.org
Grants program inquiries:
Jane Sooby, Grants Program Director
Policy inquires related to organic farming and farmers:
Ariane Lotti, Policy Director ariane@ofrf.org
Udi Lazimy, Policy Organizer udi@ofrf.org
Website content, Information Bulletin and National Organic Farmers' Surveys inquiries:
Erica Walz, Communications Projects Manager
Website technical problems:
Jose Torres, Technology Manager jose@ofrf.org
Development and events-related inquiries:
Renee Chaffin, Development Associate renee@ofrf.org
OFRF mission:
Maureen Wilmot, Executive Director maureen@ofrf.org
BOB SCOWCROFT
OF THE ORGANIC FARMING RESEARCH FOUNDATION
ANNOUNCED HE WILL STEP DOWN
The Thursday March 10
Organic Farming Research Foundation luncheon is a not to be missed
event bringing together organic stakeholders.
Chefs come together to provide an incredible feast.
Over the years, the staff at the Anaheim kitchen has been
influenced by the organic presence in their kitchen.
In earlier years a highlight of the NPEW was the Organic Trade Association
dinner. Chefs also worked side by side the great Anaheim
chefs. A lot of cross pollination occurred.
BARRY LOGAN OF THE
LA MILPA ORGANIC COMMUNITY FARM
We are Seed Dreaming about a BEET KEEPER combination
CSA box box that will express the concept of coop farming
that we preach and practice.
SAMMY AND BEE
OF THE RODRIGUEZ
GROWING UP ON THE FARM
FIFTH GENERATION FARMING COUSINS
This is a video clip I made at the HILLCREST FARMERS' MARKET of BEA RODRIGUEZ and her Cousin SAMMY, the daughter of SYLVIA RODRIGUEZ. I have been watching both this offspring of the RODRIGUEZ family grow up. It adds so much to my life to feel a part of this family and help in every way I can on most Sundays when I am in town. If you live in San Diego, please come by to the market. It is a wonderful experience. We can do some commerce over purple beans, but something much deeper we will exchange. Please support your local organic farmer. Feel the love of those growing real food. Help every way you can. Join a local CSA--Community Supported Agriculture. Our future of Food Safety depends on this.
I have been admiring the products of Terra Bella Ranch at our Hillcrest Farmers' Market for weeks I enjoy their certified Organic Nuts. I also had in mind yesterday to get show a draft of the Playbook I will be taking to the Natural Product Expo West this week. That all added up to making this Youtube for Nicolina Alves. Hope you like this! I love their Certified Nuts--Organically grown that is!
I just met Tina Koenemann
from Westbridge.
She tells me her company is often just called
Westbridge. Westbridge is short
for Westbridge Agricultural Products.
Her company manufactures Organic Liquid
Plant Nutrients, surfactants.
Tina is a cosponsor of the Dialogue on
Science, Ethics, and Food. She is also co-sponsoring
the Hamilton High Enchanted Garden Project, my own
contribution to the Hamilton High School garden now
in progress.
HEALTH MAGIC THROUGH CHLOROPHYLL
THROUGH LIVING PLANT LIFE
by Dr. Bernard Jensen
I wrote this one from his words.
This book is available from Bernard Jensen International
Alert Webmaster
