A local farming association is criticizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture for issuing a permit for the world’s first open-air trials of the genetically engineered diamondback moths in Geneva [New York].
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The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York — or NOFA-NY — … said the Environmental Assessment Form for the project lacks comprehensive health and environmental details.
“NOFA-NY considers the release of a novel genetically engineered organism to be a major activity with potentially significant and heretofore unknown health and environmental effects,” said NOFA-NY policy advisor Liana Hoodes.
The organization called on the state Department of Environmental Conservation to require a full environmental impact statement and public hearings under the State Environmental Quality Review Act process.
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The Diamondback moth is a pest to brassica plants worldwide. That includes broccoli, brown mustard, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, rutabaga and turnip plants.
The genetically modified moth would reduce the number of female moths that produce eggs, which are laid on the brassica.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: Organic farming group objects to release of genetically engineered moths
