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Home My WebLink AboutHandout Transgenic Crop Genetically Modified Organisms Policy~~ ~.~ c3v.~ + o Pr~, ~ c'~ `1 ~30 ~U a i'~ ~/{-~j ~n~ ^~"^ CITY OF BOULDER ~'" OPEN SPACE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AGENDA TTEM MEETING DATE: August 23, 2000 (Agenda Item Preparation Date: September 30, 2002) AGENDA TITLE: Transgemc Crop (Genehcally Modified Organisms) Policy REQUESTING DEPARTMENT: James C. Crain, Director Open Space/Real Estste Bryan Pritchett and Andy Pelster, Presenters FISCAL IMPACT: None PURPOSE To address the issue and concems related to growing genehcally modified orgazusms (crops) on C~ty Open Space lands BACKGROUND ~ The issue of genetically modified orgazusms bemg grown on Open Space lands was recendy raised at the July 26, 2000, Open Space Boazd of Trustee's meehng. The Boazd duected staffto ensure that such organisms were not being grown on Open Space properhes and retum with a draft pol~cy. Also, the Boulder County Commissioners held a study session on tlus issue on June 8, 2000, to gather informauon for the formulahon of broad direcrion related to genehcally modified orgazusms. Genetically modified orgazusms aze defined as organisms (plant, animal, or bactena) that have been genetically engineered by the msertion of a foreign (exhznsic} gene. They aze glar.ts that have not acquired their characteristics through normal plant reproduchve mechazusms. These organisms are typically referred to as "transgenic". - ANALYSIS Convenrional plant breeding techniques (cross-polhnation, etc ) involve the controlled transfer of genes that lead to the expression of the desued tnits. Biological reproduchve processes limit wtuch orgazusms can be successfully cross bred. This barrier has been overcome by genebc engineering technology that allows plant breeders to °insert" genes from completely unrelated orgazusms to create transgenic crops Most transgenic crops have been developed to lower produchon cost or to enhance product quahty. Transgenic crops that are currently avazlable to farmers have genes that allow the crop to be herbicide tolerant or pest resistant. Havmg tlus genetic resistance reduces the amount of herbicide ~ ~ H:\PRAB\2002 FILES\OSMP TRANSGENICOOAUG23.DOCAGENDA ITEM # Pa~ or pesticide applied to the crop, thus reducing the goweis cost of produchon. There are also ~ perceived envuonmental benefits because of the reduced need for peshcide applicahon. ~-~'" Although there aze human and animal health concems, the most controvers~al issue reladve to transgemc crops is their long-teim envuronmental unpacts. The nsk with insect resistant crops is that non-target insect species will be harmed and the target insect species will become resistant to the toxin producetl by the transgenic crop. Similarly, herbicide res~stant crops may cross pollinate with wild relatives and create herbicide resistant "weeds". While the deparlment has never addressed the issue duecdy, the department's cutrent policy is that the risks of growing transgenic crops on Open Space outweigh potential benefits and that no transgenic crops or plants will be gown on Open Space. There are no transgenic crops bemg grown on Open Space property at this time. However, approacimately 20 acres of herbicide tolerant corn were grown in 1998. To address these issues and concerns, Open Space staff have taken the following steps: 1) A letter (Attachment A) will be sent to each lessee, remforcmg the producmg transgenic crops on Open Space is not pernritted, and securing lessees' concutrence w~th ttus provision; 2) As leases expire, and as new leases aze created, we will msert language explicitly precludmg transgenic crop production, and ensuring that only plants that have acquued ,,,~ theu chazactensrics through convenhonal plant breedmg tecluuques may be grown, ~ 3) Resource Speciahsts will follow through by approving crops to be planted PUBLIC COMMENT AND PROCESS Tlvs item is being heard at this public meering, adverhsed m the Daily Camera. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adopt~on of these steps as the intenm policy d'uectson for the Department Submitted by: James C. Crain, Duector Open Space/Real Estate ATTACHMENTS: A. Draft letter to lessees ~ H:\PRAB\2002 FILES\OSMP TRANSGENICOOAUG23.DOCAGENDA ITEM # Pa< ATTACHIvgi~1'I' A ~: ~~'y;%~~` ~~r~~ 1'I August 16, 2000 Open Space Lessees: Oprn Space/Real Estate Department P O Box 791, Boulder, CO 80306; 303-441-3440 http-//www ci.boulder.co us/openspace As many of you ~ow, there are crop hybnds available that have genehc tolerance for the herbicide Roundup and genetic resistance to a number of insect pests. These crops have been genetically engineered to express these traits. For future reference these and similaz products will be referred to as transgenic crops. ~ , The issue of transgenic crops being growa on Open Space lands was raised at the July 26, 2000, Open Space Boazd of Trustees (OSBT) meeting The current pos~tion of the Open Space Depamnent is that the envuonmental risks of growing ~ansgemc crops on Open Space outweigh the potentral benefiu. We aze conceraed about the potential effects to non-target insect species and the possibility of creahng herbicide tolerant weeds. Because of these concems, we aze requeshng that you not plant transgenic crops on the property that you lease from Open Space. As your leases expire and are due for '~ renegotiation the following language will be added to the lease document: ~... Operator shall not grow transgenic crops on the Property. These crops have been genetically engineered to espress a desired agronomic trait Only plants that have acquired agronomic trait(s) through conventional plant breeding techniqnes may be grown. Finally, please continue to mvolve the appropnate Resource Speciahst m the development of your crop rotation plans pnor to each planting season. If you have queshons or concems regazding our posiuon or the proposed lease language, please contact the Resource Specialist that admmisters your lease. Open Space Resource Specialists a+ill also be meeting with each of you mdividually to discuss ttus issue. Thank you for your cooperation m this matter. Sincerely, '1~i~G~~~i~ Bryan Pntchett Natural Resource Manager City of Boulder Open Space i Real Estate ~-»- `o... o~-, s~.-~ Q w~rdr.~ J / Chnstopher Mueller amended his motron and Lmda Andes-Georges seconded to mclude all 5 projects ~dtscussed in the memo. Lmda Andes-Georges suggested the board and staff constder management plans in ceedtng with these pro~ects. r... VOTE The motion passed unanimously. ~~p~~~{J~.~~ ~ a~"e • p olicy ryan ~tcheti reported tl~at this is a follow up to previous discussions by the Board about the fact thax Open Space does not allow transgenic crops on open space land To formalize that practtce, staff is requesting that the OSBT state its approvai of this and of a proposed letter being sent to lessees, to be added to new/renewed leases, expressmg the policy regazding prolubition of transgenic crops. Public Participation Carolyn Bininski, P.O. $ox 1156, thanked the boazd and staff for theu stand on ttus issue. She quoted several experts who have conceras about tius issue. She mcluded that the Sierra Club has called for worldwide moratoriwn on GMOs. $etty Ball, 5102 Williams Fort Trail, requested the board adopt a strong policy pmhibiting transgemc crops. John Rote, 850 14"' Street, mdicated transgenic cropping is killmg Monarch butterflies and caterpillars. Brazil has prolubited the use of transgenic crops and several compaaies have pledged to discontinue the ~ e of various related chemicals. He discussed the threat to human health and various forms of legislation ..,qwnng notification to cihzens of the use of specified chemicals. You,1112 Lee Hill, Natural Law Parry, Colorado Right to Know Imtiative, supports safety testing and labeling for transgenic food substances. She commeaded the boazd for rts stand. Daniel Ziskin, 2202 Goss Circle, thanked the board for addressing tlus issue, sa}wg that he and lus goup are opposed to transgemc crops due the long term environmental and health risks. James Boulmight,1840 Telluride Laae, expressed his concems over the use of transgenic crops and indicated that although there may be some benefits to tYus method, the nsks certaznly outweigh them. Eric Johnson, 1111 Maxwell, #211, thaaked staff and board for their work on this and other issues, he supports the proposal. John Russell, 3300 Bridger Trail, #103, expressed ]us support for the proposal. Nell Geiser,1717 Maxwell, believes the policy should be adopted and that it provides a good example for the rest of the county. Judith Mohliag, 432 Marine Street, thanked the boazd and staff for taldng the lead on ttus issue, addmg to the previous speakers her concerns about ffiese issues. ~"""' ~.. c ~n~~u~vo~ar.ao~ Ron Forthofer, 3912 Divot Circle, mdicated lus scienrific background and added lus behef that the scienhhc e~ idence is on the side of prolubitm~ the use of transeemc crops He appreciated the staff and boazd for their stand ., Bruce Robinson, 2023 Hermosa Drive, quoted esperts re~azdmg biotechnolow issues and mdicated that ~ some msurance compazues will not msure habihty of transgemc food substances Jim Morris,1905 Norwood Avenue, supports the pohcy and is concerned about the unpacts and problems surroundmg these issues Robin Autrey, 1811 Folsom, #102. supports the pohcy because of the effect on food supply, health and or~amc fazming Return to Staff & Board Chns Mueller clanfied that the issue bemg discussed deals wrth transgeruc crops and not herbicides and peshcides uMOTiON ~ " ~ ~~~` ' Lmda Jourgensen moved that the OSBT accept stafF's recommendahon and adopt as department pohcy the prolubihon of the use of transgemc crops on open space and that lessees of open space land be uLStructed m ttus matter Lazry MacDonnell seconded VOTE The motion passed unanunously ~JOURNMENT - The meetrng ad~ourned at 9:00 p.m. These draft mznutes prepared by Bob Woolsey ~ ...s '"1a <..~ G \osbt~numta~formatdoc 4