Protect organics: stop genetically engineered alfalfa

by kiwilog

Unless you’re a fan of the sprouted variety, you probably don’t think much about alfalfa. However, a new statement by the USDA is giving advocates of organic food reason to be concerned about the crop.

In a newly-released draft of their Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of Genetically Engineered Alfalfa, the USDA says they plan to approve the plant for commercial use. While this might not mean much to you initially, alfalfa is a food staple for beef and dairy cows as well as an important natural soil enhancer. According to Organic Valley Farms, once genetically-engineered alfalfa is introduced into the farming system, it’s contamination of non-GE plants is “all but inevitable”. The end result? Organic meat and dairy products risk becoming tainted with genetically modified organisms.

The USDA’s report says there’s no evidence that consumers care about GE contamination of organic alfalfa—but they’re wrong. Help prove otherwise (and protect organics!) by demanding that GE alfalfa not be approved. Read more here, then write to the USDA by February 16th at regulations.gov.

-Marygrace, KIWI staff writer

Tags: GE, GMO, organics, USDA