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Rally for organic crops is set today

BY EMILIA ASKARI
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
April 18, 2006
Claire O'Leary Maitre was a Bloomfield Township mom in the 1990s when
she first questioned the safety of the food she was feeding her family.
The more she read about crops bred to include herbicides or insecticides
in their genes, the more concerned she became.
Before long, O'Leary Maitre was a nationally known activist on
genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Today, she is heading to
Lansing to rally against a Republican-backed bill before the state
Legislature that would prevent local units of government from passing
ordinances that prohibit the planting of GMO crops within their
boundaries.
The problem, O'Leary Maitre and other environmentalists say, is that the
wind can blow pollen from genetically modified crops to other fields.
They fear that genetically modified food will have a detrimental effect
on people's health in the long run.
Many in the agricultural industry disagree. They point out that seeds
have been bred to enhance traits for centuries.
The difference now, O'Leary Maitre says, is that modern genetic
engineering techniques allow businesses to add synthetic chemicals to
genes.
"Not just my children, but all children of the world -- that's who will
inherit this problem," said O'Leary Maitre.
Jim Byrum, Michigan Agri-Business Association president, said the
concern about drifting pollen can be addressed by organic farmers if
they leave a large enough buffer between their crops and neighboring GMO
fields.
"This bill is not anti-organic products," he said.
Although no local Michigan governments have passed ordinances outlawing
GMO crops, local governments in California and several states have,
Byrum said.
Fourteen other states, mainly in the Midwest, have passed bills similar
to the one passed by the Michigan Senate last month. The state House
Agriculture Committee is to take up the bill today.
Marie Stanyar, 53, of Dearborn is an organic produce customer who plans
to be at today's rally. "The word is spreading throughout the state so
people who buy directly from organic farmers are aware," she said. "The
quality of the seeds is at stake with this bill."
Today's rally is to begin at 1:30 p.m. in Room 404 of the Capitol
Building.
Contact EMILIA ASKARI at 248-351-3298.
Copyright (c) 2006 Detroit Free Press Inc.
 
 
Vicki Morrone
Organic Vegetable and Crop Specialist
C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems
CARRS Departent of Community, Agriclture, Recreation and Resource
Studies
303 Natural Resources Bldg
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1222
Phone: 517-353-3542
Cell: 517-282-3557
FAX 517-353-3834
E-Mail:  [log in to unmask]
 
Don't forget! A carrot a day may keep the doctor away but an ORGANIC
carrot a day, grown locally will taste good, support your farmer
neighbor AND may keep the doctor away!!!