Group wants ban on GMO plants in Jackson County
Sunday, May 13, 2012
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- A group of local farmers and food activists wants Jackson County to pass an ordinance banning the planting of genetically modified plants in the southwestern Oregon county.
Commissioners say they're looking into the issue, including whether they could legally pass such a county law.
Members of the group GMO-Free Jackson County asked commissioners last week to ban plants with genetic alterations without a citizen initiative.
The Mail-Tribune says (http://bit.ly/KdZEfk) the effort to ban genetically modified crops gained momentum recently with news that genetically altered beets and corn were being grown in several Ashland, Medford and Grants Pass fields by Syngenta AG.
Opponents worry that the crops can cross-pollinate with organic ones and corrupt yields.
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Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/
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