GMO News
Humboldt’s GMO Ban
Further Understanding the Proposed Ordinance bicides or to produce their own insecticides. Hybrids and other varieties produced through conventional breeding are not GMOs and would not be affected by this ordinance.
Melanie Bettenhausen Marketing & Membership Director
A
s you read in the last issue of the Co-op News, the North Coast Co-op Board of Directors unanimously agreed to formally endorse GMO Free Humboldt’s proposed ordinance to ban the cultivation and production of Genetically Modified Organisms in Humboldt County. You can read the full text of the proposed ordinance at www.gmofreehumboldt. org, but these frequently asked questions about the ban, taken from GMO Free Humboldt’s website, are a good start to understanding the proposed ordinance. Frequently Asked Questions about the proposed ban (from GMO Free Humboldt) Q: What is the purpose of the ordinance? A: The purpose of the ordinance is to prohibit the growing or raising of GMOs in Humboldt County. Q: What is a GMO? Is it the same thing as a hybrid? A: Genetically engineered organisms, often called “genetically modified organisms” or GMOs, are produced by manipulating DNA in a laboratory to overcome natural reproductive barriers. The resulting organisms contain genetic codes which could not have been created through natural processes and which therefore pose unique risks. The most widespread GMOs today are crop plants engineered to resist the effects of certain her-
9 Co-op News | April 2014
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Q: Does the ordinance ban GMOs in grocery stores? A: No, this is a carefully targeted ordinance which will affect only the growing or raising of genetically engineered plants or animals in the county. It will not keep local stores from selling genetically engineered food products. Q: Does the ordinance ban GMO animal feed? A: No, this is a carefully targeted ordinance which will affect only the growing or raising of genetically engineered plants or animals in the county. It will not keep local stores or vendors from selling genetically engineered animal feed. Q: Does the ordinance affect lab research at HSU or private labs? A: No, research contained within a laboratory is specifically exempt from the ordinance. Q: Does the ordinance affect vaccines or other medicines, or medical research? A: No, medicines are specifically exempt from the ordinance, along with anything else involved in providing people with medical care. Q: What will people currently growing GMOs do? A: They will have a one year grace period to harvest or destroy their crops. Q: How will the ordinance be enforced? A: The Humboldt County Agricultural Commissioner will enforce the ordinance based on information provided through reports from members of the public and any other information that comes to his or her attention. The opportunity will be provided for anyone accused of growing GMOs to pro-
GMO Free Humboldt needs 7,500 signatures in order to qualify for the election ballot in November. If you have questions or would like to get involved, email humboldtgmofree@gmail.com or visit http://gmofreehumboldt.org/get-involved/ GMO Free Humboldt meets every other Wednesday in the Co-op’s Community Kitchen in Arcata.
vide evidence showing that they are not before the Commissioner takes any action.
require the violator to pay back the county for any reasonable costs of enforcement.
Q: What are the penalties for violating the ordinance? A: A violation of the ordinance will be considered a public nuisance. That’s because, like other public nuisances, growing GMOs poses a threat to the public – in this case, the threat of irreversibly contaminating non-GMO organisms on other people’s properties. Therefore, if the Agricultural Commissioner determines that GMOs are being grown in violation of the ordinance, those crops or other organisms will have to be destroyed or removed.
Q: What do farmers think about the ordinance? A: Many of our strongest supporters are farmers! This ordinance will help protect our organic farmers from the risk of losing their organic certifications due to genetic contamination. It will also help ensure that all of our farmers can have access to the growing market for GMO-free products.
Q: Who will pay for enforcement of the ordinance? A: Just as in any other case involving a public nuisance, enforcement costs resulting from a violation of this ordinance will be subject to “cost recovery.” That means the county will hold a hearing and
Q: Will home gardeners be affected by the ordinance? A: The ordinance applies to everyone equally. However, genetically engineered seeds and plants are not currently sold in the home garden market, so the ordinance won’t really change anything for small scale, non-commercial gardeners. Contact Melanie melanieb@northcoastco-op.com