URGENT ACTION ALERT: Seed Industry Immediately Threatened by Cano

[amideutch]

This is a copy of an e-mail I received from the Seed Ambassadors.

Hello Everyone!


We here at the Seed Ambassadors Project haven't sent out any e-mails in a while, but are compelled to do so today: There is an immediate threat to our food supply because the Oregon Department of Agriculture has fast-tracked the approval of canola (including GM canola) production here in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.

As many of you may know the Willamette Valley is one of the top 5 places in the world for growing and supplying specialty seed and maintaining seed diversity. Seed grown here not only is sold by local Oregon companies, such as Adaptive Seeds, but is also bought by other seed companies such as Johnny's, Fedco, and lots of others both nationally and internationally. Basically, seed grown here supplies the world with food.

One of the specialty seeds that the Valley is perfect for is brassicas, which includes broccoli, cauliflower, arugula, rutabaga, turnip, radish, kale, cabbage, etc. Canola is also a brassica but spreads rampantly and cross pollinates with a lot of other brassicas with detrimental effects. Oregon State University has conducted research proving that canola will cross pollinate with many different crops including turnips, broccoli raab, some kales, rutabaga, and possibly radish and broccoli. Meaning the presence of canola production in the Willamette Valley will definitely contaminate and destroy those other seed crops. Without doubt.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has previously maintained a canola exclusion zone in the Valley. However, in the past few months there have been a series of meetings held behind closed doors to change this zone to allow canola (including genetically modified canola) to be grown in the valley unchecked and with disregard to existing seed pinning map isolation guidelines. ODA only just released a press release on Friday, August 3rd saying they will grant a temporary rule to allow canola this Friday, August 10th. By issuing a temporary rule the ODA is avoiding the requirement for public comment and therefore behaving unilaterally with only special interests in mind. Not only does this decision harm seed growers but GM canola cross pollination will also potentially threaten the livelihood of any of the certified organic growers in the area. There are good reasons why canola has been banned in the Willamette Valley by ODA up to this point, and pressure on ODA to lift these bans needs to be countered.

Please contact the ODA and Governor Kitzhaber yourself and make your voice heard! It does not matter if you are not an Oregon resident, this decision effects everyone in a huge way and they need to be reminded of that.

And spread the word!

ODA phone number: (503) 986-4552
ODA Director Coba: KCoba@oda.state.or.us

Governor Kitzhaber: (503) 378-4582; or email

Remember, we only have until this Friday, August 10th to change this decision!

[gardenhappy]

Calling today! thanks for posting this!

[JimM_SC]

Email sent!
Jim

[kurt]

E-mail sent with a note stating if you follow the money(of the supporters)most times you will see a connection between supporters and the "Big Agri"that is usually pushing these GMs.

[treeingfishhound]

Best of luck in the fight... Really hope ya prevent it.

Regards
2dw

[ScottinAtlanta]

The subversion of an open regulatory process is shameful.

[fastback81]

Do you have a form letter we can send since some of us might not be completely familiar with the issue and/or geography?

[ContainerTed]

Somebody out there needs to find a judge and start talking about the invasive species laws. As I said in my email to them, what will they tell their children when the questions start about how some vegetables are no longer available.

I think the University of Oregon needs to buy itself a glass belly button. That way, they will be able to see where they're going while their head is up their ....... !!!!

[PA_Julia]

This is horrible.
I hope they come to their senses but feel that " cents " in this case is greater than sense.


Julia

[Cole_Robbie]

Article about the new temporary rule:

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/i...e_where_c.html

[MrsJustice]

This is just sad news, hopefully you can fight this actions with the Power of the People.

[ScottinAtlanta]

I have to ask a question: Is it really true that canola cross pollinates with pumpkins and radishes? That sounds really odd.

[ChrisK]

Scott, Canola, GM or otherwise, can potentially cross pollinate with some other Brassicas.

here is a decent pdf:

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/cat...m/em8955-e.pdf

And:

http://cms.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/Page...a_summary.aspx

[habitat_gardener]

Originally Posted by ScottinAtlanta

I have to ask a question: Is it really true that canola cross pollinates with pumpkins and radishes? That sounds really odd.

Pumpkins?? No, only Brassicas: "Oregon State University has conducted research proving that canola will cross pollinate with many different crops including turnips, broccoli raab, some kales, rutabaga, and possibly radish and broccoli."

wikipedia says, "Canola refers to a cultivar of either Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) or field mustard (Brassica campestris L. or Brassica Rapa var.)." And according to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_of_U
several species of brassicas are closely related and can interbreed

B. napus/ campestris includes rutabaga

B. rapa includes turnip, chinese cabbage

B. oleracea includes cabbage, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower

But radishes are Raphanus sativus.

[gardenhappy]

Thankyou so much for all this information! I did make the calls yesterday! Good luck!