Sierrans: FYI. A Legislative interim study committee on GMO¹s has met recently. Below is the information on it followed by the minutes from a meeting of October 21. They are scheduled to meet again on December 13, at 10 am, in the ICN Room (Rm 19) of the Capitol, just off the Cafeteria Rotunda. PDFs of the actual testimony/handouts of the presenters can be accessed at: http://www4.legis.state.ia.us/scripts/lsa/docmgr/docmgr_comdocs.dll/showtype interim?idt=true&type=ih&fy=2005&com=71 Lyle 2005 Interim Committee Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) Study Committee Charge: Review issues regarding the use of genetically modified organisms in agricultural production. Senate Members: E.Thurman Gaskill (R, District 6), Co-chair Tom Rielly (D, District 38), Co-chair Joe Bolkcom (D, District 39) Thomas G. Courtney (D, District 44) David Johnson (R, District 3) David Miller (R, District 45) House Members: Sandy Greiner (R, District 89) , Chair Betty De Boef (R, District 76) Dolores Mertz (D, District 8) Doug Struyk (R, District 99) John Whitaker (D, District 90) 2005 Interim Committee Briefing from the Genetically Modified Organisms Study Committee meeting of October 21, 2005 Co-chairperson: Senator E. Thurman Gaskill Co-chairperson: Senator Thomas Rielly Co-chairperson: Representative Sandra Greiner Preliminary Business. The Legislative Council established the Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) Study Committee in 2005 and authorized the Committee to meet for two days. The Committee's charge is to "[review issues regarding the use of genetically modified organisms in agricultural production." Sustainable Agriculture. Dr. Fred Kirshenmann, Director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University, stated that the Leopold Center does not engage in research involving transgenic modifications because it is not consistent with the center's mandate to reduce the socioeconomic impacts of agriculture affecting farmers. He discussed questions regarding the impacts upon the environment of using transgenic technologies, and cautioned Committee members that new technologies may have unanticipated and destabilizing consequences, especially when they are rapidly introduced into the environment. Dr. Kirshenmann noted that one effect of the use of transgenic modifications may be to further consolidate land holdings among fewer farmers. He also stressed that federal standards do not require that commodities be tested to ensure that they are free from transgenic contamination. He expressed concern that consumers may eventually reject food products which contain transgenic materials. Finally, Dr. Kirshenmann believed that farmers who produce organic crops or identity preserved crops may be losing markets to foreign competitors who produce crops free from contaminants. He stressed the need for farmers to cooperate and develop informal arrangements in order to reduce the risks of contamination associated with the production of transgenic crops. He also urged the Committee to consider a state initiative that would reimburse producers who suffer losses due to contamination from transgenic sources. Regulation and Approval of Transgenic Crops. Ms. Robin Pruisner, State Entomologist, Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (DALS), and Dr. John Turner, Policy Coordinator Bio-technology Regulatory Services, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) presented information. Ms. Pruisner briefly discussed the working relationship between DALS and USDA. Dr. Turner discussed the regulation of transgenic crops by USDA evaluating the potential risks to agriculture and the environment, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) evaluating food and feed safety issues, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) evaluating the effects upon the environment from transgenic crops which produce pesticides. According to Dr. Turner, regulatory oversight must be proportionate to the risks. He explained that all field testing, importation, or interstate movement of regulated articles must be performed under USDA oversight. Dr. Turner stated that developers of transgenic crops must petition USDA for "nonregulated" status as part of a process of comprehensive scientific review that must extend for at least 180 days. According to Dr. Turner, once a transgenic crop has achieved a nonregulated status, it is treated as any other crop. He noted that a more rigorous process occurs when a petition requests authorization for the approval of the production of a transgenic crop which produces a pharmaceutical or industrial compound. Ms. Pruisner and Dr. Turner described the number of field test sites in Iowa. According to Ms. Pruisner, Iowa consistently ranks in the top three states having the most field test sites. They also discussed the process of notification review by state officials where field testing occurs with the opportunity for a state to concur or not concur with USDA's approval. Dr. Turner discussed USDA's regulatory system with several Committee members. Senator Bolkcom discussed the testing of crops used to produce pharmaceutical or industrial compounds and the potential for pollen drift. Dr. Turner explained that there are no federal organic standards regulating genetically modified material. Perspectives From a Seed Business. Mr. Bill Latham, President of Latham Seed Company, stated that Latham Seed Company is a family business which has been operating for many years and currently serves 450 dealers in six north central states. He noted that biotechnology is simply a tool that can be used for either positive or negative ends. He stated that decisions relating to the approval and use of transgenic crops has been made on the basis of sound science. Mr. Latham emphasized that the use of these crops has increased profitability to farmers, resulted in lower pesticide use, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and increased food production. Mr. Latham also addressed organic crop production, and supported efforts by persons who produce food and feed to supply markets for nontransgenic crops. However, he stated that the real distinction is between regulated and nonregulated crops. Mr. Latham noted that the presence of trace amounts of commercially approved biotechnology enhanced seed in conventional seed lots is accepted in crop production and presents no risk to humans or the environment. He also stated that materials associated with approved transgenic crops are not "contaminants." He recognized the potential for commingling is present and emphasized that federal organic standards do not prohibit the presence of such material and cautioned that a "zero-tolerance policy" would be inappropriate. Mr. Latham and Co-chairperson Rielly discussed methods to ensure coexistence between producers of transgenic crops and producers of organic or identity-preserved crops. Perspectives From the Organic Farming Community. Mr. Ron Rosmann, an organic farmer, discussed difficulties in producing organic crops given problems associated with pollen drift from neighboring farms that produce transgenic crops, and questioned the wisdom of growing transgenic crops used to produce pharmaceutical compounds in Iowa. He noted that there have been a number of legal settlements in cases involving contamination of organic and identity-preserved crops by transgenic crops. He believes that seed companies should be liable for losses resulting from contamination. Mr. Rosmann observed a trend toward consumer demand for value-added and identity-preserved foods, and believes that the state may lose its share of markets to countries like Brazil which restrict the production of transgenic crops. Mr. Rosmann emphasized the use of natural systems to control pests and increase yields, and stated that the use of biotechnology is radically different from the development of classical genetics. He urged the Committee to consider the establishment of programs which would better promote organic and identity-preserved grains and to compensate producers for losses associated with contamination. Mr. Rosmann also noted that research is no longer being directed toward improving conventional seed stock. Co-chairperson Greiner requested that Mr. Rosmann provide the committee with recommendations for it to consider. Mr. Rosmann and Co-chairperson Greiner discussed grain standards and how organic grain is cleaned and tested under marketing agreements. Issues Facing Producers of Identity-Preserved and Organic Crops. Mr. Ken Roseboro, Editor of the Non-GMO Report, stated that increasingly consumers are demanding a food production system that provides for the tracing of food to the farm, including a desire to purchase food that is labeled as organic, identity-preserved, or nontransgenic. He noted strict requirements in Europe and Japan reflect this concern. Mr. Roseboro discussed sources of contamination, including transgenic seed, pollen drift from transgenic crops, and commingling of grain derived from transgenic crops during grain handling. Mr. Roseboro stated that finding nontransgenic seed research is becoming increasingly difficult. He also discussed the results of a study conducted by Iowa State University in which pollen drift was measured at 1,600 feet from its source. Mr. Roseboro discussed the history of transgenic production associated with Starlink, Prodigene, and Bt-10 corn. He stated that the greatest risk of contamination has occurred in fields located in the midwest and especially in Iowa and Wisconsin. He discussed instances in several states, such as North Dakota and Vermont, where representatives of producers of transgenic crops and organic or identity-preserved crops met in order to develop strategies for coexistence, and in each case there was a stalemate. Mr. Roseboro discussed a number of legislative initiatives which included "Farmer Protection Acts" which assigned liability for contamination to seed companies. He also mentioned the possible establishment of an indemnity fund which would be used to compensate producers for losses associated with contamination. Finally, Mr. Roseboro noted that European nations have imposed stricter regulations upon the production of transgenic crops in order to ensure coexistence. Several Committee members had questions. Senator Bolkcom and Mr. Roseboro discussed the role of the federal government. Mr. Roseboro stated that consumers and businesses rather than the federal government are driving standards for food. Senator Bolkcom expressed the belief that the issue centers upon property rights. Senator Johnson and Mr. Roseboro discussed the role of sound science in this process. Issues Facing Producers of Transgenic Crops. Mr. Doug Getter, Executive Director of the Iowa Biotechnology Association, briefly discussed the scientific history of biotechnology and its increasing use in the marketplace. Mr. Getter noted that private industry has invested substantial resources in order to develop varieties of crops which will benefit producers and consumers. He noted that biotechnology is important to feeding the earth's growing population. Mr. Getter also noted that the use of transgenic crops has reduced the application of pesticides and the emission of carbon dioxide. Mr. Getter noted that the United States has led scientific advances in the development and production of transgenic crops, noting that crops developed through biotechnology provide higher yields and increased farm income. He also stated that Iowa has led the nation in the production of these crops (1.08 billion pounds), and now has an international reputation as a center for agricultural biotechnology advances. He praised Iowa for its commitment to develop industries associated with biotechnology and believed that decision will improve the lives of Iowans. Next Meeting. Co-chairperson Greiner announced that the Committee's second and final meeting is scheduled for December 13, in the ICN Room of the State Capitol. She hoped that the Committee could explore strategies to ensure coexistence between the interested groups. LSA Contacts: Doug Adkisson, Legal Services, (515) 281-3884; Kathy Hanlon, Legal Services, (515) 281-3847 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/