Boulder County Public Hearing Regarding GMOs

Earlier this week, Colorado Farm Bureau President Don Shawcroft testified at the Boulder County Commissioners and Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee's public hearing about the Cropland Policy County open space. Shawcroft shared that the room was about 50-50 as far as for and against using genetically enhanced crops and the discussion was lively. He shares that one farmer from one of Boulder County's oldest family farms testified and really hit the mark.

Shawcroft: "Very poignant statement was — you have to have working farmers to have a working farm. And the working farms that have been in this program are beautiful. They are appealing. The statement that I that is the purpose of this program to see the beauty — to see the beauty of farming. These people who have been using Genetically Engineered crops have done that very successfully. To turn away from a program that has been successful in what the program was designed for which was beautiful open space."

The decision will be made in the next several weeks as to whether they will consider adding RoundUp Ready alfalfa or maintain the current program.

Shawcroft: "The question I didn't hear clearly answered in fact was if this group of County Commissioners decide to not continue the status quo whether they have to go back to the drawing board and design a new program — whether they would perhaps allow fewer genetically enhanced crops, or none of the enhanced crops or some modification in between."