The Secretary also said very clearly that the USDA had NOT proposed
inclusion of GEOs, sludge, and irradiation, and had only requested comments.
Some 6,000 received so far, with the vast majority against.
Also important -- new leadership for the USDA Nat. Organic Program
(NOP) is forthcoming. Keith Jones from Texas will be taking over the top
staff job. Michael Hankin has resigned. Keith will do a good job in this
new role, and has a long and constructive record of involvement with
organics. He has the temperament and back-bone needed to move the process
along in a positive direction despite the efforts of some to dilute or
divert the integrity of the rule. So recent developments from within USDA
are positive.
We have placed several new items on the PMAC page relative to the
organic rule --
* The latest in a series of excellent memos/pieces by Fred Kirschenman, this
one focusing on the applicability of the precautionary principle to the
organic rule. Fred's latest piece is at <http://www.pmac.net/nosfk5.htm>
* Hal's insightful SANET post of a couple of days ago
<http://www.pmac.net/hh1.htm>
* The full text of Benbrook's Guelph University speech on biotech, organics,
ag is available at <http://www.pmac.net/xroad.htm>
In addition, we posted the excellent comments of Dr. Michael Hansen,
Consumers Union biotech expert, to the Feb. 9-10 EPA scientific advisory
panel meeting on Bt-transgenic resistance management plans. Michael's full
statement is at <http://www.pmac.net/mhremark.htm>
The effort to preserve the efficacy of Bt is emerging as the "main
event" in determining whether government agencies and academic scientists
have the ability and collective will to stand up to the commercial
steamroller that is sweeping across the country. To many, the evidence is
overwhelming that Bt-transgenic will trigger resistance; even the companies
admit that resistance is inevitable. The debate is over whether it will
happen in 3, 5, or maybe 10 years. To many who understand the unique value
of Bt to mankind and food production, the difference between 3 and 10 years
is irrelevant. Hopefully the EPA will take strong actions in response to
the information obtained during the two-day hearing, and will start to act
in the broader public interest. Once Bt resistance genes gain a foothold in
major lepodopteran insects, the efficacy of this key tool will be undermined
for generations, at a minimum, leading to substantial increases in the use
of high-risk conventional insecticides, and worse problems down the road.
This is a train wreck that experience and sound science have fully
predicted, but only courageous and very unpopular action by government can
now stop.
chuck
Charles Benbrook 208-263-5236 (voice)
Benbrook Consulting Services 208-263-7342 (fax)
5085 Upper Pack River Road benbrook@hillnet.com [e-mail]
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 http://www.pmac.net
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