A local politician wants to clarify that no official action has been taken against genetically modified organisms.
Rick Fairbairn, rural Lumby director, is concerned that a recent survey by Bee Safe, a local group, will lead people to believe that his jurisdiction and the Regional District of North Okanagan have formally rejected GMOs.
“Bee Safe has jumped the gun a little bit,” he said.
“I wish to clarify that this (Bee Safe) vote was not conducted by RDNO nor does it necessarily represent the current position of RDNO. It is important to remember that the vote was held at a partisan meeting and may not be reflective of the entire population of Area D as full discussion has not been undertaken.”
Out of 405 people at the April 15 Bee Safe meeting, 293 were from rural Lumby, 53 were from the Village of Lumby and the rest were from neighbouring communities.
“Area D voted 92.8 per cent in favour of a ban,” said Jane Emlyn, with Bee Safe, at the time.
According to Statistics Canada, there were 2,848 people in rural Lumby in 2011.
Carla Vierke, with Bee Safe, says the organization’s vote was never portrayed as being RDNO sanctioned.
“It wasn’t that partisan. The vote was advertised in the papers and everyone was welcome including farmers using GMOs,” she said.
“It does represent the community. If RDNO wants to do a vote, feel free but with GMOs, time is running out. We can’t keep waiting.”
Fairbairn points out that RDNO is taking the issue of genetically modified plants seriously.
“The board forwarded a letter Feb. 4 to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency requesting mandatory labelling of all genetically modified products,” he said.
RDNO’s agricultural advsory committee is also examining the impact of GMOs and amendments focused on GMOs may be added to the rural Lumby and Cherryville official community plan.
Fairbairn’s approach is garnering support from his RDNO colleagues.
“Where does opinion stop and fact begin?” said Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director, of the need for education and personal choice.
“That’s what we’re struggling with (as a regional district).”
