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'Get the drift! Vermont says no GMOs!'
(Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003 -- CropChoice news) -- From an Oct. 23 news release:
For Interviews call: Bayard Littlefield 802.272.9536
MONTPELIER, VT—Vermont farmers and their supporters rallied in
Montpelier today before a meeting on genetically engineerd crops at
the Agency of Agriculture. 37 organic dairy farmers farmers signed a
pubic statement to voice their opposition to the adoption of policies
that will allow cultivation of genetically engineered (GE) crops in
Vermont. In a related incident, a giant banner was unfurled from the
third story of a building next to the Statehouse declaring
“Coexistence = Contamination! Vermont Says No GMOs!”
Rallying with colorful signs and banners, Vermonters again
demonstrated that Genetically Engineereed agriculture poses threats to
the safety of the food supply, Vermont’s environment, and small scale
and organic farmers. “So-called ‘coexistence’ of genetically
engineered crops and organic crops means there will be contamination,”
said Lisa McCrory of the Northeast Organic Farmers Association of
Vermont (NOFA-VT). “Organic famers have zero tolerance for GE
Contamination. NOFA supports a Time Out on GMOs becasue contamination
of organic crops, and conventional farms, means lost markets and lost
revenues for Vermont farmers, and endangering Vermont’s ecosystems.”
Agriculture Secretary Steve Kerr formed an "ad hoc" working group on
genetically engineered crops, which met Thursday to host
representatives from the US Department of Agricuture and the
Universtiy of Vermont.
Vermont leads the nation in percentage of acres farmed organically at
22%. Seventy Vermont towns have passed Town Meeting resolutions which
call for labeling of GE ingredients in food, a moratorium on growing
GE crops in their towns, and encouraging the corporate developers of
GE seeds be held liable for damages resulting from GE contamination.
Over 150 farmers have also signed letters in support of these
resolutions, as concerns over containment and liability of these crops
have hit headlines nation wide.
More than 30 citizens and farmers attended the demonstration, carrying
signs and banners supporting a GE Free Vermont with slogans like
“Coexistence=Contamination” and “Monsanto Out of Montpelier!”
The GE Free Vermont Coalition is a statewide effort for a Time Out on
GMOs. ## | |
