OTA's position on GMOs

June 13, 2003

1.  GMOs have been defined by OTA and NOSB (though not NOP) as synthetic materials and are prohibited for use in organic production.  Further details are available in OTA’s American Organic Standards.  (Please note:  OTA has not taken a position on GMOs in animal vaccines; see the NOP Final Rule for relevant language.)

2.  OTA calls for a moratorium on GMOs in agriculture.  This technology has the potential to cause unintended effects on the environment and on human health.  More independent research and regulation are necessary before any more GMOs are allowed in the food system.  As long as GMOs continue to be allowed, organic producers are at risk from background levels of GMOs.

3.  OTA supports mandatory labeling of all agricultural GMOs and their products.  The Organic Trade Association supports the consumer’s right to know, and to choose foods based on environmental, personal health, religious, dietary or other preferences.  Labeling of products grown from GMO seed or stock or made with ingredients and byproducts of GMO crops is necessary to making these choices at this time.

4.  OTA recognizes that Bt crops are especially harmful to organic agriculture as their use will inevitably lead to insect resistance, and Bt is the most widely used biological control in organic agriculture. (Note that StarLink was developed as a second-generation Bt crop. Here, second-generation Bt crop refers to the time when the first generation of Bt crops has stimulated widespread insect resistance).

5. OTA rejects adopting a zero-tolerance policy at this time, on the grounds that obtaining a zero level of GMOs may not be possible in the US due to widespread contamination.  This contamination is more widely spread than many realize.  OTA notes that the EU has a tolerance level of 1%, but OTA does not support setting a tolerance level.  OTA stresses that organic production is a process guarantee, and notes that just as there are trace amounts of persistent synthetic pesticides in much of our food, so there may be background levels of GMOs in North American food, due to the high percentage of GM crops grown here.