Your recent column, “Debate should aim higher” is disappointing to say the least.
If you believe Bee Safe is barking up the wrong tree by going to our local officials, please explain how 60 other communities managed to pass support for such a resolution, in some cases in less than a month of receiving the information by going to their local officials.
The answer is that they simply had the political will to do so, and to protect their communities from potential harm and further contamination from GMO crops they used the precautionary principle and acted with due diligence.
The Regional District of North Okanagan has been asked to support a resolution. They have yet to say that they do or they don’t.
They formed the regional agricultural advisory committee as a reaction to the pressure coming from Bee Safe to gather more information and to be advised on this issue.
The RAAC is redundant if it cannot advise one way or the other. After all, that is what an advisory committee does.
To now say we have wasted our time at RDNO is an understatement. Bee Safe has proven repeatedly that this is the will of the people and RDNO is not representing these people and RDNO is not acting with due diligence to prevent further harm and contamination from GMO crops.
You say, “All our local leaders can do is join the chorus of opponents. That is all we have ever asked for and yet they refuse to do even that.
RDNO has sat on the fence about this issue for several years now, and it is obvious that it is not willing to act one way or the other in order to protect itself and its jobs.
Since supporting such a resolution is symbolic in nature, just as it is with all the other communities who have already done so, why does it create such hesitation and fear here at RDNO?
When it comes to the health of the people and future agriculture in our area, RDNO is dragging its feet. I too now question, what is RDNO’s role and how necessary is it?
I strongly believe that the debate over GMO’s will not be over until government stands for the health of its people and its agricultural future.
I am fortunate and thankful to at least be living in a community where the people see the importance of making a decision on such an issue and a director who is willing to act on the will of the community.
I truly believed once RDNO had all of the information, it would act as progressive leaders and be at the forefront of change.
I guess I was sadly mistaken.
Carla Vierke,
Bee Safe co-founder
