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Countries, communities banning GE food for good reasons

Dear editor, Robert Wager pointed out that 'fear of GM' was why the City of Richmond passed a resolution to become a GE Free Zone.

Dear editor,

In his letter (Record, March 21), Robert Wager pointed out that 'fear of GM' was the reason that the City of Richmond passed a resolution to become a GE Free Zone.

Yes, fear of potential harm to its citizens recently led Peru, Poland and China to pass a moratorium on all GE food crops in their respective countries.

Did you know that Moscow, Russia, has been a GE Free Zone since 2007?

I think Richmond councillors should stand tall to be in the company of some of the most powerful leaders of the world.

Would these countries use such a drastic measure if GE food crops were harmless and could co-exist with non-GE food crops? Are they afraid of cross-contamination with their local seeds? Are they taking heed of the results of European researches on GE crops?

Whatever their reasons, each of these jurisdictiions' final decision is to pass a moratorium on GE food crops. Their action speaks for itself.

Some countries went further. Ireland, Austria and Bhutan declared themselves GE Free Zones. Was it only fear of GE that led them to this decision?

Could it be they saw an opportunity here: A chance to keep their land rich and fertile, water clean and potential economic benefit in producing healthy unadultered food. A very attractive case in point: Ireland is branding itself as the Food Island.

Closer to home, three B.C. municipalities — Saanich, New Telkwa and Metchosin — declared themselves GE Free zones within the past six months.

A motion was put forward by Metchosin to the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities (AVICC) to declare Vancouver Island a GE Free Zone. This motion will be discussed at the AVICC AGM in April. I will follow this development and report to you.

Farmers will grow it if you speak up about what you want.

Linda Cheu,

Comox Valley

Editor's note: Linda Cheu writes for GE Watch Comox Valley.