Montpelier, Vermont
January 19, 2005
Source:
Times Argus via
Agnet Jan. 19/05
Darren M. Allen
Steve Kerr, the
Vermont secretary
of agriculture, food and markets, was cited as telling
lawmakers Tuesday that the amount of genetically altered seeds
sold to Vermont distributors last year was nearly triple the
amount recorded two years ago.
Kerr said that almost 460,000 pounds of soybean and corn seeds
altered to resist insects and disease were purchased by the
companies who ultimately sell them to farmers. The story notes
the rise in sales reported by the major manufacturers of
genetically altered seeds is alarming to many in the organic
farming movement, who fear contamination of their crops by the
engineered ones.
Rep. David Zuckerman, P-Burlington, chair of the House
Agriculture Committee and an organic farmer, was quoted as
saying, "The use of these seeds is not just one sector of
farmers versus another. It's a discussion going on within
sectors."
The seed report is a compilation of sales figures reported by
the manufacturers themselves. Most states – and the federal
government – do not require such reporting. |