Santa Cruz, California, USA
December 16, 2010

The Organic Farming Research Foundation Board of Directors today called for strong federal policies to prevent genetically engineered (GE) crops from contaminating organic foods. The foundation said the widespread planting of GE crops increases contamination risks, which threatens the livelihood of organic and other farmers who choose not to use GE technologies.

Organic regulations prohibit the use of GE material in crops and processed foods certified as organic.

"It is a matter of fairness," said OFRF Board President Deirdre Birmingham. "The uncontrolled spread of GE pollen and seed is unfairly threatening to put American organic farmers out of production. Organic family farmers demand the right to farm free from GE contamination and loss of their organic markets due to GE contamination."

The foundation issued a nine-point statement of principles urging the federal government to take firm, clear, and preventative steps to ensure the viability and continued growth of organic agriculture.

GE contamination prevention principles endorsed by OFRF include:

1. Freedom of Enterprise: Farmers have the freedom to grow non-GE crops without the undue barriers, burdens, and risks caused by GE contamination.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Scientific Soundness: Policy decisions must be based on sound scientific assessments based on thorough, comprehensive, and independent research trials.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Biodiversity: Society must support biologically diverse agricultural systems through the provision of equal opportunity and resources.

Celebrating its 20th year, the Organic Farming Research Foundation is sowing the seeds to transform agriculture by working for the continuous improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. OFRF sponsors organic farming research and education projects, and disseminates the results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems. The foundation also informs the public and policymakers about organic farming issues. OFRF is the leading farmer driven organic advocacy group in the country.

Website: http://www.ofrf.org

Published: December 16, 2010