The Board of Supervisors is responsible for preserving the public health, agricultural economy and pristine environment of Lake County. A conservative approach to the introduction of genetically engineered alfalfa is needed so that we can care for our agricultural base and the health of our people and our ecosystems.

This ordinance will ensure that any introduction of genetically-engineered alfalfa will be done carefully and responsibly. Today, the State of California does not regulate genetically-engineered crops to ensure that they do not cause irreparable harm, and the USDA does not sponsor independent research, testing or monitoring of these crops before they are introduced. Furthemore, the USDA analysis of the environmental impacts of GE alfalfa was inadequate and lacking in scientific rigor.1 This leaves the responsibility for protecting Lake County agriculture, health and environment up to the people of Lake County.2

Alfalfa is an important feed crop for farm animals. Time is needed to evaluate whether this engineered alfalfa is safe in our food chain.3 We know that GE alfalfa will result in an increase in the use of toxic herbicides (namely RoundupTM). We also know that increasing the use of herbicides will increase resistant weeds. This is unsustainable and is not good stewardship of our farmland or of our ecosystems.4-6 Scientists have found that this targeted herbicide is toxic to the reproductive systems of mammals. Genetically engineered alfalfa would result in more use of this herbicide, putting farmers and other residents of Lake County at risk.7

GE alfalfa can easily become "wild" or cross with natural alfalfa (feral or cultivated) resulting in the use of even more herbicides and further accelerating the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds. This may result in the application of even stronger herbicides..8-9

The market for GE alfalfa is uncertain, and some markets are closed to it. It is important to insure that Lake County farmers have full access to markets.10-14 If GE-alfalfa is introduced, growers of traditional alfalfa will be open to lawsuits when their crop is unintentionally contaminated by pollen from the GE crop. Lake County alfalfa growers should not be put at risk of lawsuits that could ruin their livelihoods.15

The people of Lake County have a right to know what crops are being grown here, particularly if there is any quiestion about how they may affect our health and environment. It is reasonable and prudent that the Board of Supervisors delay the introduction of GE alfalfa here, in order to give the county the time it needs to evaluate its impact on our agricultural economy and our health.16