To: Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture
Stop the field testing of genetically engineered crops
I urge you to declare a moratorium on open field trials of genetically engineered (GE) crops. It is clear from this most recent incident of Roundup-resistant wheat found in an Oregon field that the USDA does not have GE technology under control. This is not the first time that an unapproved variety has been discovered in fields, and this transgenic Oregon wheat has likely made its way into the food system.
Not only is it a serious concern that there is GE contamination in the food system, but half of our wheat is exported to countries with strict labeling requirements. This discovery could cost the United States millions of dollars worth of returned shipments. The half that remains in the United States is used in a variety of foods and now no one can be sure if these foods contain GE ingredients since labeling of GE foods is not mandatory.
Please put an immediate stop to field testing of GE crops.
Not only is it a serious concern that there is GE contamination in the food system, but half of our wheat is exported to countries with strict labeling requirements. This discovery could cost the United States millions of dollars worth of returned shipments. The half that remains in the United States is used in a variety of foods and now no one can be sure if these foods contain GE ingredients since labeling of GE foods is not mandatory.
Please put an immediate stop to field testing of GE crops.
Why is this important?
A farmer in Oregon just got an unwelcome surprise: he found genetically engineered (GE) wheat growing in his field. The most surprising part: GE wheat was never approved for use — it's only been used in field tests. This discovery has serious implications for farmers (half of all U.S. wheat is exported, and many countries won't buy GE-contaminated wheat) and for consumers who can no longer be sure that their wheat isn't genetically engineered.
Tell the USDA that GE crops can't be controlled, and that we need to end field tests of GE crops.
Tell the USDA that GE crops can't be controlled, and that we need to end field tests of GE crops.