FINALLY, the Department of Agriculture has shown its true colors. Or more correctly, either its ignorance, or worse, machinations to sabotage Negros Occidental's organic food bowl program.

DA's Biotech Program invited the provincial government to attend an international conference on the co-existence between genetically modified (GM) and non-GM crops in Melbourne, Australia from November 10-12, 2009.

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Governor Isidro Zayco recommended Provincial Board (PB) members Enrique Miguel Lacson, Nehemias Dela Cruz Sr., and lawyer Edgardo Acuña to attend the conference.

Good choice, since the three are rabid pro-GMOs, anyway. The Australian conference will preach to the converted, not to the doubting Thomases that need to be convinced.

And yes, I totally agree DA should shoulder their expenses. The provincial coffers should go to strengthen the organic agricultural program and the enforcement of the ban especially of living GMOs.

On another level, I find Sun.Star Bacolod's news report on the proposed trip disquieting. The DA is using subterfuge by redefining the conflict as GM versus non-GM crops. It is equating apples with oranges, instead of guava with guapples.

The GMCC '09 conference will bring together pro-GMO scientists working on coexistence between GM and non-GM agricultural supply chains. The events will cover key issues from production level to the market place, "from paddock to plate."

Conventional farmers who use poisonous synthetic chemicals for fertilization and pesticides and practice monocultures have never opposed genetically engineered crops. These synthetic chemicals and GMs are a mix bag of pit bulls and bulldogs-but all the same, dogs.

The pro-GMOs are using conventional synthetic chemical-based farmers as their frontline troops to batter down the defenses of organic agriculture.

Unsuspecting organic farmers might end ups as the Trojans failed to heed the seer Cassandra's warning of Greeks bearing a peace offering of a horse.

The prattle on co-existence is a smokescreen to sabotage the organic industry, make its existence untenable. No wonder that the vocal opponents of GMOs are the organic farmers. They stand to lose their livelihoods when their organic produce gets inadvertently tainted with the errant genes from cross-pollination.

The equation is GM and non-GM; it's between GM and organic crops. Negrense farmers won't have chemistry, they'll get alchemy and harvest not organic crops but a cropper, earn not the golden fruits of organic agriculture but fool's gold.

Consumers who are aware of organic standards will shun produce and products, which have been genetically altered. GM-tainted produce can kiss its organic certification good-bye.

The International Federation of Organic Farmers is very clear on organic standards and on its stand vis-à-vis GMOs. IFOAM standards are to organic farmers what the Holy Bible is to Christians, and the constitution to the citizens.

According to Ifoam, it opposes genetic engineering in agriculture, because of the unprecedented danger it poses for the economic and environmental risks it poses for organic producers. The Ifoam caveat:
Ifoam holds that genetic engineering in agriculture causes, or may cause negative and irreversible environmental impacts; release of organisms which have never before existed in nature and which cannot be recalled; pollution of the gene-pool of cultivated crops, micro-organisms and animals; pollution off farm organisms; denial of free choice, both for farmers and consumers; violation of farmers' fundamental property rights and endangerment of their economic independence; practices which are incompatible with the principles of sustainable agriculture; and unacceptable threats to human health.
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