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California adds to “GMO-free” zones

Add Sonoma County, California to the list of counties in that state prohibiting farmers from raising genetically modified crops.

Last week voters passed “Measure M”, a ban on growing genetically engineered crops in the county.  The ban, however, does not include organisms grown for medical treatments and supplies like vaccines and insulin.

Sonoma County Farm Bureau opposed the measure, stating it was vaguely worded and would prohibit farmers from using technology needed to fight pests and diseases.

Sonoma is the sixth county in California to implement such a ban.  Sonoma County connects several counties that already have bans in place and forms a more than 13,000-square-mile area of GMO-free production in Northern California.

Other counties include Marin, Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, and Santa Cruz.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, farmers currently raising GM crops will be allowed to continue for the season before the ban kicks in and farmers who have already purchased seed for the next growing season will be able to plant it.