Protect Organic Intergrity! Tell Oregon Officials Not to Let GE Canola in the Willamette Valley

Until last Friday, Willamette Valley’s organic farmers and seed producers were protected from the cross-pollination of their crops by Genetically Engineered (GE) canola. However, new rules fast-tracked by the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) now allow for the planting of GE canola in areas previously deemed off-limits. Oregon officals failed to bring in stakeholders and public on this issue, announcing their 'temporary' rules August 3rd and making them effective only a week later.

Many organic seed crops are grown in the fertile alluvial plains of the Willamette Valley. Since organic standards do not permit the production of genetically modified crops, organic seed farmers are imperiled by ODAs decision. ODA Director Katy Coba confirmed many organic seed producers fears by stating, “Since canola has been deregulated by USDA, ODA does not differentiate between conventional and GM canola or treat them differently.”

Tell Director Coda to hault the temporary rulemaking process:

Subject:

Your Letter:

Dear Director Coba,

Please put an immediate stop to the temporary rule allowing the planting of genetically engineered canola in the Willamette Valley. This decision imperils the production of certified organic seed in the region due to contamination from cross-pollination. Such contamination has proven extremely costly to farmers raising organic crops whose loads are rejected by buyers when trace levels of contamination are detected. Farmers in these circumstances lose any potential price premium for the extra effort and expense taken to preserve their crop’s integrity and they typically have no recourse but to dump the load on generic markets.

The ‘pinning’ system put in place to note where canola has been planted does not do enough to protect organic seed. A study published by Oregon State University reads, “The two greatest threats are canola seed blown from vehicles onto road shoulders and volunteers in fields previously planted to canola. Detecting and eliminating volunteers from a 2-kilometer [1.2 mile] radius around a seed field would be onerous and perhaps impossible.” The report concludes, “The best solution at present is to maintain canola free zones for vegetable seed production. These zones should not allow canola production or traffic bearing seeds.”

Director Coba, please put a halt to canola planting and protect the integrity of the internationally recognized organic seed in the Willamette Valley.

Katy Coba

Director, Oregon Department of Agriculture

Genetically engineered canola has the potential to contaminate radish, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, collards, and kale crops. ODA's previous regulations for the Willamette Valley note this fact. ORS 603-052-0880(2) stated, “Production of rapeseed for oil or seed is incompatible with production of crops of the same or related species grown for seed or vegetables.

Once the first canola seeds are planted, organic producers are at risk. Contamination can occur from blowing wind, insect pollination, or vehicles passing by organic fields. Canola also has the potential to become a noxious weed after its first year of planting, as volunteer seeds can creep in near seed fields. Under the current interpretation of relevant law, genetic seed producers bear no legal or financial responsibility for such contamination.

Help us protect organic intergrity!

Tell Director Coba not to allow genetically modified canola in the Willamette Valley!

For more information, see Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog.