Metchosin is spearheading a plan for Island and coastal communities to be free of genetically engineered organisms (GMOs).

The district banned the growing or selling of GMOs and this month prepared a similar motion to be brought to the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities meeting in April. The annual AVICC convention will be held in Sooke this year.

B次元官网网址淚 think there is too much uncertainty (around) GMOs and what they do to the environment,B次元官网网址� said Metchosin Coun. Moralea Milne.

B次元官网网址淎ll of this takes a lot of time to find out. Think about how long it took for people to realize cigarettes were bad for us and caused cancer.B次元官网网址�

Some key concerns Milne listed include the proliferation of B次元官网网址渟uper-weeds,B次元官网网址� increased use of pesticides and the transfer of pollen from GMO plants to those that arenB次元官网网址檛. A certified organic farmer could lose status if their crops are tainted by GMO plants, she said.

B次元官网网址淰ancouver Island and coastal communities are isolated from the rest of B.C.,B次元官网网址� Milne said. Given the environment and wind patterns on the coast, it is possible to be a genetically engineered-free zone, she added.

A related motion B次元官网网址� from the Okanagan-Similkameen regional district B次元官网网址� passed at the Union of B.C. municipalities last year regarding organic tree fruits.

B次元官网网址淎 number of countries wonB次元官网网址檛 accept genetically engineered crops,B次元官网网址� said Milne, addressing organic farmersB次元官网网址� concerns.

Last year Metchosin brought a motion to decriminalize marijuana to the AVICC convention. It passed, was forwarded to the Union of B.C. MunicipalitiesB次元官网网址� convention and passed there as well. Milne hopes to see this motion have the same success.

charla@goldstreamgazette.com