Retailers fear GMO alfalfa deregulation will hamper ability to stock organic.
Healthy Living’s Eli Lesser-Goldsmith recently spoke against a controversial decision by the USDA to deregulate genetically modified alfalfa. As a natural foods provider, the news that “the USDA ruling did not provide restrictions on planting GMO alfalfa next to organic crops,” has left us, along with other retailers, wondering how much this will affect the ability to keep altered grains from organic crops.
According to New Hope 360’s Natural Merchandiser, “The U.S. Department of Agriculture <http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome> recent decision to deregulate genetically modified alfalfa is affecting more than organic dairies and grass-fed ranchers worried about feeding cattle GMO contaminated crops. Natural foods retailers fear the decision will make it harder to stock organic products throughout the store.”
Eli Lesser-Goldsmith, part owner and general manager of Healthy Living, based in Burlington, VT echoed the sentiment. “This decision will affect everything in the store because cross-pollination is eminent.” “Europe has resisted the use of GMOs, why can’t the United States follow suit?”
What do you think about the USDA’s decision to deregulate genetically modified alfalfa? Read the entire article here and let us know in the comments section!
http://newhope360.com/retailers-fear-gmo-alfalfa-deregulation-will-hamper-ability-stock-organic