The unexpected discussion of genetically modified food in the Oregon Legislature’s special session this year renewed Oregon’s debate over GMOs. While most local efforts to ban GMOs were stopped, one in Jackson County will continue with a bill that will appear on the ballot next May. Jackson County’s reasoning is that organic farmers face threats of cross-pollination from GMOs. The issue of cross-pollination is not unique to organic food or even to genetically modified food—cross-pollination was a potential conflict well before GM variants came along. There are both state and federal groups that have developed systems to minimize cross-pollination between all types of farms, including between organic and GM. A pro-biotech group, Oregonians for Food and Shelter, says that it will sue Jackson County, whose proposed ban may violate state right-to-farm laws. Governor John Kitzhaber has said that he “recognizes that these issues are complex,” and that they deserve careful consideration.
Read the full, original story here: Governor’s GMO-crop process will recognize complexity: Editorial
