NPSAS Newsletter--Preventing GMO Contamination: Things you can do!

Preventing GMO Contamination: Things you can do!

Organically-grown foods remain a consumer's best choice if they want to avoid genetically engineered ingredients. In light of the emerging risk of GMO contamination, how can the organic industry, as well as individual producers, minimize those risks?

Certifiers, producers, and buyers are discussing the "due diligence" needed to protect the integrity of organic crops. Most agree that the burden of proof of non-GMO status needs to lie with the "seed suppliers, and more importantly, to the biotech companies who developed and released this uncontrollable germplasm in the first place." (FVO communication, April 2001) NPSAS members are encouraged to support efforts to shift the responsibility of genetically engineered genes back to their "commercializers". In the meantime, producers should be aware of the steps they can take to protect the integrity of their crops and their markets.

Some of the following suggestions for minimizing the risk of genetic pollution to your organic crops do involve testing and cost. However, most of the suggestions are common sense, heads up things you can do to protect the integrity and marketability of what you've worked so hard to produce. They require thought, attention to detail, diligence, and follow through-- nothing organic farmers are not already used to!

If you start with dirty seed, nothing else you do to prevent contamination matters. Foundation seed from land grant institutions should also be tested, as the genetic purity is not guaranteed. Maury Johnson of NC+ Organics, an organic seed supplier, urges producers to ask for test results from seed suppliers.

NPSAS is working on a project called the Farmer Breeder Club to provide producers with the knowledge and skills to make seed selections on their own farm and grow quality seed. The goal of this project has been to empower farmers to develop and trade seed varieties that are suited to organic agriculture and the ecology of their farms, giving them an "out"from dependence upon corporate controlled seed and reducing the risks of genetically contaminated seed stocks. (See related article on organic variety trials on pg. 16 and call NPSAS at 701-883-4304 to learn more.)

Putting the responsibility where it belongs.

According to the May 2001 issue of the Non-GMO Source, contamination of seed stocks for canola, corn, and soybeans has prompted a coalition of organic certifiers and farm groups to demand that biotechnology seed companies guarantee seed that does not contain genetically modified organisms. "Those who claim ownership rights to these genes should be held liable for their uncontrolled spread in the environment, says Gunnar Rundgren, president of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) which represents 730 member organizations in 103 countries. The situation is so urgent that according to IFOAM, "unless action is taken immediately, it may soon be impossible to produce uncontaminated organic corn crops in the U.S. The same is true for conventional farmers who want to produce corn without GMOs." IFOAM urges governments to pass legislation making biotech companies liable for GMO contamination caused by their products.

Liability for the degradation of a public resource and the economic harm caused by that degradation is the key to putting the responsibility back where it belongs. Organic canola production has already been abandoned by many certified organic growers. "Organic industry experts believe that corn could be the next crop to be abandoned if strong action is not taken immediately to protect the corn seed supply," says Annie Kirschenmann, president of Farm Verified Organic / International Certification Services.

Diligence in the field

Organic producers are also concerned that crops may become contaminated in their fields and lead to the loss in marketability of their crops. Some of the tools being used follow.

Diligence through distance-- These issues have fueled the discussion as to how far away organic fields need to be from GMO fields to guarantee that organic fields will remain free of contamination from pollen drift. According to land grant researchers, that issue simply has not been addressed at the zero tolerance level in the case of most crops. The best that can be offered is advice on how far should be far enough. According to land grant researchers, the pollen of self-pollinated crops like wheat will travel only a very short distance before perishing, under "normal" cropping conditions. But when the plant is stressed in any way, the pollen may remain viable for longer distances. Soybeans are also a self-pollinating crop but have already been shown to cross-pollinate between neighboring farmers fields. For cross pollinating crops, such as corn and canola, "the sky appears to be the limit," and an effective buffer remains unknown.
Talking to your neighbors-- Organic producers are advised to talk to their conventional farming neighbors about planned transgenic crops. This will allow organic producers and producers of transgenic crops the widest separation possible between crops that will cross pollinate. Separation by distance is a tool to reduce the threat of pollen drift. It is more effective in the case of self-pollinating crops than cross-pollinating crops or crops pollinated primarily by insects.
Separation through timing of planting-- For cross-pollinating crops, David Vetter, an organic grower, processor and owner of The Grain Place in Marquette, NE has used separation through time of planting. He typically tries to plant his corn about three weeks behind the neighbors to get a 5-10 day difference in bloom to help negate cross pollination. Tradeoffs made with this method may include lower yield and less dry-down time.

Unfortunately, later planting dates were not fail proof last year when drought caused all the corn to bloom about the same time. Genetic testing revealed .1 percent Bt contamination of his 2000 corn harvest, which is considered a low level contamination. Given that he had verified the purity of the seeds, Vetter attributes the problem to cross-pollination with transgenic corn on nearby fields. (Cropchoice.com, April 11, 2001)

Diligence in handling and storage

Harvest and post harvest handling remains critical in protecting the genetic integrity of the product. Organic producers should beware of bringing any harvesting equipment onto their farms that may have been used to harvest genetically modified crops. Galen Schroeder of the North Dakota State Foundation Seed Program stated, "Combines are not designed for the degree of cleaning required to maintain true genetic purity, although they can be modified to facilitate better clean-out." Clean-out affidavits are not enough simply because an affidavit just can't guarantee it, despite anyone's best efforts. Purchasing used combines may also be a source of contamination. Make sure you know the history of the equipment and whether it has been used for any genetically modified crops. Even when purchasing new equipment, make sure it has not been used on a trial basis by another producer.

The same diligence should be used in scrutinizing the use of any trucks or grain carts for grain hauling during harvest that are not exclusive to your farm. Borrowing and sharing grain equipment with a conventional farming neighbor may not be advisable even if he does not grow transgenic crops. His crops may still be contaminated if he is not practicing the same diligence with his seed, fields, grain cleaning, and equipment. Weigh the risks. If you must borrow equipment, either clean the equipment yourself or inspect it very thoroughly.

Storage facilities should be closely scrutinized, especially if the facilities have not been exclusive to your farm. Affidavits of cleaning should still warrant very careful inspection as well as scrutiny into the storage history of the bins. Make sure those facilities have not previously housed transgenic varieties. If they have, weigh carefully the risks and thoroughly inspect the facility for stray grain.

Cleaning equipment a strong suspect

Cleaning equipment also presents an opportunity for contamination to occur. Organic producers should use only certified organic cleaning facilities for their grain or purchase equipment to clean their grain on their own farms. (Come to the NPSAS Plot Tour at the Podoll Farm near Fullerton, ND for a demonstration of their on-farm seed cleaning and conditioning equipment. See pg 16). If using a certified organic facility, ask whether they have a protocol for handling the issue of genetically contaminated crops.

The final leg of a producer's diligence

Many producers sell their grain and the buyer arranges the trucking. The stakes are high. Where has that truck been and what has it carried? Most organic producers have had to deal with less than desirable trucking at one time or another. The stakes are higher when it comes to the question of genetic contamination. If the truck recently carried a load of conventional soybeans before picking up a load of certified organic soybeans, your markets may be at risk. Was that conventional load contaminated to some degree? If the truck recently carried a load of genetically modified soybeans, the risk of losing the salability of that product because of contamination becomes quite high. Even tarps can harbor unwanted contamination.

Keep these questions in mind as you take extra time to go through the truck and making certain it is absolutely clean. Ask questions of the buyer if they are arranging the trucking. Ask questions of the driver. Don't be hurried through this step. You've worked too hard to throw it all away now. Document the answers you get and the steps you take to insure cleanliness. Don't be afraid to get in there with your shop vac if you have to. If it is a hopper bottom truck, that will require extra diligence yet. If the situation is just not workable, call your buyer and explain the situation. A rejected load does no one any good. Document that conversation and the decisions reached.

Document steps and any problems

Certifiers are recommending that farmers document everything they do to avoid GMO contamination. If you have suffered any financial or market losses because your crops were contaminated, make sure you record that and share that information with your certifier and NPSAS. Farm Verified Organic has stated that it "intends to shift the burden to the seed suppliers, and more importantly, to the biotech companies who developed and released this uncontrollable germplasm in the first place." Help the effort by sharing whatever information and documentation you can.

Zero tolerance and protocols

Nations have set standards defining a product as non-GMO or GMO free which vary from .1% to 5% tolerance for transgenic contamination. The organic industry has yet to determine any tolerance level and therefore, it remains at zero tolerance.

Certification organizations are in the process of developing protocols to deal with the problems presented by the presence of genetically modified crop varieties. Stay in close communication with your certifier(s) about their contamination policies. Organic producers, at the minimum, need to educate themselves and follow these protocols

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