Subj:         Farmers press GE-free crops, 3-year moratorium in Maine
Date:   02-01-09 15:08:17 EST
From:   [log in to unmask] (Laurel Hopwood)
Sender: [log in to unmask] (Biotech Forum)
Reply-to:   [log in to unmask] (Biotech Forum)
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By Sharon Kiley Mack, Of the NEWS Staff e-mail Sharon
January 9, 2002
Bangor  Daily News
Farmers press GE-free crops
Grass-roots effort seeking 3-year moratorium in Maine
edited

AUGUSTA - According to this article, one of the booths getting a lot of
attention Tuesday on opening day of the Maine Agricultural Trades Show at
the Augusta Civic Center had a big map of Maine fitted with stickpins. Each
pin represented a farm that has pledged to grow only genetically
engineered-free crops. "We can't manage the technology," said Sherri
Winger. "Once it is introduced into the environment, it is out of our
control."

Members of a grass-roots movement, Co-op Voices Unite, are trying to
position Maine farmers to have a unique and distinctive edge in the global
marketplace. Through farmer pledges and an effort to install a three-year
ban on genetically engineering crops across the state, CVU members say that
Maine will have the reputation as being GE-clear, which in today's
international market is an advantageous standing.

In just the first few hours of the trade show, CVU increased its farmer
pledges by 33 new members, up to 136 farms. That represents a total acreage
of 23,525.

"Maine could lead, be in the forefront," said Sherri Streetery. By putting
a moratorium in place, she said, Maine would be positioned to fill the
market hole created in the rush for non-GE crops.

Every food cooperative in Maine has asked CVU to represent them on this issue.

Not only will the number of farmer pledges bring citizen awareness, said
Streeter, but CVU plans to propose a three-year ban on GE-crops in the next
legislative session.

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