GE Free Zone In Province's Hands

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 07 October 2013 06:00
A decision to ban genetically engineered crops appears to now rest with the BC government, perhaps taking some heat off a North Okanagan committee. G-E opponents have called on a Regional District of North Okanagan agriculture panel to join 61 other BC communities that have become GE Free Zones. Committee chair Mike Macnabb says the Union of BC Municipalities recently passed a resolution, asking the province to consider a ban. "So one option (for his committee) is just to say, 'We can't have a resolution because it's out of our hands.' And another is to continue to look at what we might do to support agriculture in the region," Macnabb tells Kiss FM. While GE opponents say the altered crops are a health concern, Macnabb feels a ban on the products could have a major impact on local farmers. "I know with the GE resolution, there was no financial impact study on that, and it would be, I believe, devastating to existing farms and ranches in the area if it was mandated," says Macnabb. Supporters of a GE Free BC want the province to legislate a ban, and then ask the federal government to do the same.