Cyndi Barmore prepared a report for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in which she argues that allowing organic certification for biotech crops could lead to the development of a new line of environmentally sustainable agricultural production. Additionally, biotech organics would benefit the consumer.Currently, the organic movement generally rejects the notion that there is, or could be, any connection between organic agriculture and biotech crop production. Regardless, as Hembree Brandon points out in his article for the Delta Farm Press, Barmore believes allowing biotechnology in organic agriculture ‘“could have far-reaching policy implications for global agriculture.””
There are some in the organic agriculture movement who do buy Barmore’s argument. As Hembree reports, Stewart Brand, publisher of the Whole Earth Catalog, believes genetic engineering could reap substantial environmental benefits by developing crops that can grow more efficiently, on less land, with less need for pesticides. Additionally, genetically engineered crops could fight against invasive species, work as biofuels, and help capture carbon out of the atmosphere.
Still, Barmore probably has a lot convincing to do to win over some more converts. Barmore argues that ‘“biotechnology has not created new ills for humanity or the environment . . .health and environmental concerns are unfounded worries based on unjustified fears.”’ Barmore also points out that a European Union commission recently said, ‘“there was no scientific basis for the EU’s ban on new biotechnology.”’
For Barmore the reasons to pursue biotechnology in the organic agricultural arena are clear. Biotech could lead to larger scale organic production, which in turn would lower the costs of organics for consumers. This might increase overall health as the biotech organics would use less pesticides than regular crops, and it could help address current global food supply issues. Further the environment could benefit from a more sustainable form of agriculture developed by this technology. This would mean less land use, less water use, and less agricultural production-related emissions into the environment.
Ultimately, the goal of Barmore’s report is simple--cause some change in current organic policies. “Governments ‘should change their regulations to allow producers to gain organic certification for biotech crops grown with organic methods . . . Such a system would better achieve the organic movement’s stated goals of environmental sustainability and the promotion of human health.”’
To read the Delta Farm press article click here. To read Barmore’s report click here.
Posted: 08/21/09
