The North Coast Grower’s Association is opposed to the use of genetically engineered seeds and crops. We believe that GMO technology goes against the very foundations of sustainable agriculture. The 1990 Farm Bill defines sustainable agriculture this way, “…over the long term, satisfy human needs, enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base, make the most efficient use of non-renewable resources and integrate natural biological processes, sustain economic viability, and enhance the quality of life.” To be truly sustainable agriculture has to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

GMO’s are a strong component of industrial agriculture; they boast unsubstantiated promises of increased yields. In reality they increase the use of pesticides and show no increase in yield while increasing and consolidating corporate control of agriculture.

GMO’s threaten the diversity of our seed base and the status of the world’s seed banks.

GMO crops threaten family farmers by holding them liable under strict patent laws for pollen contaminations that is uncontainable and for which the farmers have no control.

The agencies responsible for regulating agricultural biotechnology, the USDA, FDA and EPA have failed to properly monitor the technology.

There have been no adequate long-term studies. Many of the studies that have been done were conducted by the very companies that stand to benefit financially from the technology. Overall the research into the health and environmental safety of GMO’s is sparse, biased and lacks peer review.

The American Food and Drug Administration is currently being prosecuted for covering up research that suggested possible risks from GMO foods.