> This was passed on from another list and it is really important,
> Cheryl Kemp.
> --Date: Thursday, 9 September 1999 10:12 am
> Subject: FW: effects of gmo's on organic farming
>
>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Dorothy Bowes [SMTP:asehaqld@powerup.com.au]
> >> Sent: Sunday, 5 September 1999 6:11
> >> To: Listbot
> >> Subject: effects of gmo's on organic farming
> >>
> >> I would like to describe the impact of genetic engineering on our 3400
> >> acre
> >> organic farm. It would be helpful if these sorts of observations could
> be
> >>
> >> confirmed (or not) by research.
> >>
> >> There are three main changes that we have seen in North Dakota.
> >>
> >> 1) We can no longer plant crops that are insect or wind pollinated
which
> >> are
> >> known to be genetically modified. Accordingly, we did not plant canola
> >> this
> >> year. Canola had been a good crop in our rotation. This limits the
> >> diversity
> >> of foodstuffs both on farm and in the market place. How many farmers
are
> >> changing their rotations because we can't "fence in" GMOs and keep them
> >> off
> >> our land?
> >>
> >> 2) Different pesticides are being used with GMOs which cause alarming
> >> damage
> >> across the landscape. Because of weather changes, SE North Dakota is
now
> >> part
> >> of the corn and soybean belt. Pesticides used with "Liberty" Corn
cause
> >> root
> >> systems to grow up instead of down. This, apparently, makes plants
grow
> >> topsy
> >> turvy - the crown ends up pointing down to the earth. Other pesticides,
> >> particularly herbicides, are rejuvenated in rain. Because we live in
the
> >> windiest state in the Union, the damage is ubiquitous. Of course, GMOs
> >> are
> >> not the only "cause" of new herbicides. However, they are part of the
> >> industrialised approach to agriculture which promotes chemicals which
are
> >> antithetical to life.
> >>
> >> 3) The timing of herbicide spraying has changed. Farmers now spray for
> >> the
> >> entire season instead of just in the spring. While GMOs are just one of
> >> several factors instigating season-long spraying, they are a
significant
> >> factor. This means that both plants and humans are exposed to
pesticides
> >> from
> >> April through September.
> >>
> >> I find it ironic that I am expected to feed the world but can't expect
to
> >> feed
> >> my own family because of herbicide damage to orchards, vineyards,
gardens
> >> and
> >> farms. An unscientific survey among organic farmers in the upper
midwest
> >> indicates that herbicide damage has increased on our land over the past
3
> >> years.
> >>
> >> Some of you may know that research has shown that babies conceived in
the
> >> spring in rural Minnesota (just next door to North Dakota) have a
higher
> >> rate
> >> of birth defects. Does this mean that we need to issue warnings that
we
> >> should not conceive for the six months of April-Sept. because of the
risk
> >> of
> >> birth defects?
> >>
> >> Damage resulting from GMOs is not hypothetical. One of the other
longest
> >> standing organic farmers in North Dakota is now asking if he will be
able
> >> to
> >> continue farming and gardening, not because of the economic crisis but
> >> because
> >> the chemical damage on his farm and garden is so serious. He raises
all
> >> the
> >> food for the 3 generations of family on his farm. He raises seed for
> >> garden
> >> supply companies. And he raises small grains.
> >>
> >> Unfortunately, if we want organic farming to continue, we will need to
> >> intervene ... and soon.
> >>
> >> Carolyn Raffensperger
> >> Kirschenmann Family Farms.
> >>
> >>
> >> ______________________________________________________________________
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