> In short, the default (in the computer sense of being the general
> rule) is the chemical mode,
> and you have to go through all kinds of trouble (and extra costs) to
> go into the organic mode. What it if was the other way around? If the
> default mode was organic (no need to certify, label, etc.), and that
> any farmer who had to use chemicals had to go through all kinds of
> certification, training requirements, labelling requirements, etc.
>
> I would imagine that in such a case, the market itself would gradually
> adjust towards the organic and the 80% organic share wouldn't look
> like a pipedream.
>
Actually, I think that the moves by European supermarket chains to
eliminate GMOs in the food on their shelves will lead to exactly what
you are saying Roberto. I don't want to overemphasize this, but I am
hearing a few reports from farmers who are taking back their Round-up
Ready soybeans and planting other beans this year in order to ensure
their access to international markets. (On the other hand my brother in
Nebraska says 90% of the beans in his area are going to be Round-up
Ready.) It remains to be seen if our system of terminals,
transportation and ports can maintain two streams of bulk soybeans for
export to the European Union.
Mary
-- Mary Hendrickson, Ph.D. Network Coordinator Food Circles Networking Project University of Missouri Outreach and Extension Department of Rural Sociology Columbia, MO 65211Tele: 573-882-7463 Fax: 573-882-1473
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