Organic farmers discuss GMO cross-pollination concerns

The question of “tolerance levels” for genetic contamination of organic crops is coming to the forefront of the organic industry, experts say.

Organic advocates say cross-pollination with genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, is a threat to farmers but they’ve yet to arrive at a consensus for handling the issue.

“The question is what threshold are we going to accept for genetic contamination?” said Holli Cederholm, general manager of the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association.

The topic was discussed at a recent meeting of the Organic Seed Alliance in Corvallis, Ore.

Related on the SLP

Seed treatment overload? Are there unintended consequences from a popular practice? Myth busting on ‘contamination’: GMO farms’ halo effect often protects organic farms

Viewpoint: After firing the entire National Science Board, Trump reshapes funding initiatives. Here’s the good and the bad.

What constitutes a measles death? RFK, Jr. maneuvers to restrict definition to make pandemic seem less dire

Podcast: America’s health care system is broken. A doctor explains how to fix it

In the case of OSGATA, its members have adopted a zero tolerance policy toward GMOs, meaning that any detectable level of contamination is unacceptable.

Read the full, original article: Organic growers discuss GMO tolerance levels