- The seed industry is pushing USDA to agree to a national
tolerance level to allow sale of conventional varieties of corn, cotton,
soybeans, and canola that actually contain up to 1% GMOs. According to
the American Seed Trade Association, loose standards on biotech seeds mixed
in with conventional varieties are required to "prevent potential
disruption in seed trade". Critics argue that setting a loose standard
could hurt farmers by interfering with non-GMO premiums and provoke even
more international problems for the USA's biotech crops.
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- The new push to allow 1% contamination in non-GMO varieties
was prompted by seed company alarm when Starlink showed up in non-Starlink
types sold by Garst. While nobody has pinpointed the exact source of Starlink
positive tests of some farmer's non-Starlink harvests, the case made clear
that through cross-pollination, bagging and handling errors, mixing in
bins, or other mistakes, the seed industry is unable to contain biotech
traits and keep conventional varieties pure - not only at harvest; but
in the companies' seed production and distribution.
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- For growers, a 1% contamination level could very easily
erase non-GMO premiums. Europe is pushing for a much lower .5% tolerance.
The 1% level which might already be present in seed is potentially increased
by cross-pollination and is above what many non-GMO grain buyers will accept
- some want undetectable levels, or .1% or .5%. Under the proposed 1% rule,
unless farmers bought certified non-GMO seed, they probably won't have
enough information to be sure their non-GMO varieties will qualify for
a premium.
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- Critics also say the standard could impact grain exports.
Around the world, laws that require labels on GMOs in supermarket products
are still unsettled. Some governments favor a 1% threshold for "Contains
GMOs" labels on consumer products. This could lead to the strange
situation of cornmeal, soy produts, or other consumer products grown from
"conventional" varieties in the US being labeled as GMOs on foreign
supermarket shelves.
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- The seed industry is working for international tolerance
standards; but has not publicly identified other countries that might cooperate.
According to the New York Times, industry says other ag exporters Canada,
Australia, and Argentina may be willing to go along with 1% GMO tolerance
in seed. But this might not solve the premium and threshold difficulties.
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- SOURCE: ASTA, New York Times
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- Organic Consumers Association - <http://www.purefood.orgHome
6101 Cliff Estate Rd., Little Marais, MN 55614, <../aboutus.htmabout
us Activist or Media Inquiries: (218) 226-4164, Fax: (218) 226-4157 If
you support this web site, <../donation.htmsend a tax-deductible donation
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