NEGROS Occidental Provincial Board (PB) decided Wednesday to review Ordinance 007-2007, which bans the entry of genetically modified organism (GMO)-infected crops into the province.

This amid the arguments between pro and anti-GMOs composed of the planters’ association, livestock and hog raisers, environmentalists’ group, stakeholders and the PB members themselves who already admitted being divided on the issue.

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The ordinance, fully implemented by the Provincial Government already for two years, bans the entry of GMOs, both non-living and living agri products into the province.

Vice Governor Emilio Yulo III opined it is an “executive” function for a moratorium to be realized while “legislative for the PB members to review the ordinance which the Board could not just solve overnight”.

Prior to Wednesday’s regular session, the PB members held a caucus at Bar 21 in Bacolod City where they decided to review the controversial ordinance, but Yulo said that moves to declare a moratorium was not discussed.

“The issue has reached a level of emotion which appeared to be creating divisions and that it is imperative for the Board to review the ordinance,” Yulo said.

He noted that because the ordinance is “standing and valid,” Governor Isidro Zayco is bound to implement it. “And it is an executive function for a moratorium to be declared.”

Yulo admitted that the hands of the PB members are tied over how they could take cognizant of, and what decision they could have, considering that heated arguments already surfaced to the extreme between the pro and anti-GMOs which until now remains a controversy.

He cited that when the public hearing on the ordinance was conducted, only the pro-GMOs attended, “with no opposition.”

Yulo hinted on the possibility that the ordinance will be amended or repealed if there is a strong and much valid reason to do so.

In their letter to Zayco, the VMC Farmers’ Cooperative Inc. and the Confederation of Sugar Producers’ Association Inc. appealed for the suspension in the implementation of the ordinance pending further in-depth study and evaluation on the effects of GMO on consumers.

“We reiterate our position that the ordinance be put in abeyance until an in-depth scientific study is done on the economic impact it will have on the province and the food security for the country,” the VMC-FCI told the governor.

Confed, on the other hand, said the sugar industry is still the lifeblood of the economy of Negros and remains its leading product.

“Negros, (being) a province powered by a mono crop system of agriculture (sugarcane), does not have a fallback industry to lean on when our primary and only industry will collapse,” it said.

The same sentiment is shared by the livestock and hog raisers, as well as grain retailers who cited a collapse in the industry with the continuous GMO ban.

When the ordinance was approved, the province also declared its bid to be the agriculturally-organic bowl of Asia.

$7-M GMO Laboratory

The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), meantime, presented to Zayco its project proposal worth P213.74 million to establish a GMO laboratory and capability building in the implementation of the ordinance, especially on GMO animals.

PVO head Renante Decena said the project will benefit the animal owners and general public through the identification and detection of GMO.

The project quotation was based from Assure Quality Laboratory (AQL) in Auckland, New Zealand which has three phases.

For phase 1, the amount of P210 million was pegged for the establishment of a GMO laboratory for food, meat, feeds and crops inclusive of building, laboratory equipment, supplies and materials.

Under phase 2, P325,140 will be spent for the traveling expenses of four personnel, P720,000 as training fees for four personnel for six months, and P1.51 million for board and lodging of four persons for six months.

The amount of P1.18 million will be used for the hiring of 16 inspectors in seaports and airport which is under phase 3.

Eileen Nolan, accounts service manager for AQL, in her communication to Rogie Anne Benares, medical technologist of PVO, said the setting up of said laboratory is “a very expensive investment and will cost $7 million.”

She said that each GMO tests is charged $180 with results available in three to five business days.

On the other hand, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist also proposed P16 million for a GMO laboratory to be set up. Zayco said only P4 million is readily available. (GMD)