Anti-GMO movement takes root in North Okanagan

Things are getting personal between a group of Vernon residents and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Members of the public gathered today outside MP Colin Mayes' office at noon to protest genetically modified alfalfa being grown in the area. Similar events involving the National Farmer's Union are sprouting up across the country.

Spearheaded by local resident Kelsi Evans, the event was made up of mainly younger generations.

On the Facebook group Day of Action, Evans says, "The problem with GM Alfalfa entering Canada lies in its imperfectly perfect fertilization method, it carries in the wind and with the bees. What's to stop it from fertilizing my organic Alfalfa across the field? If it does, I will be liable to Monsanto's copyright infringement, since I didn't buy the seeds that came from their patented crops."

Signs sporting phrases like, "GMO? Heck no!" and "GMO Free B.C." were paraded down Main Street today, while Evans busily collected signatures for a petition against GM alfalfa.

Representatives from Cherryville's BeeSAFE volunteer group attended the protest. In March, a showing of around 300 Cheryville residents came out to a presentation asking the public to pass a resolution against GMO crops in the community. By a landslide—94 per cent of votes—a decision was made to pass the resolution, making Cherryville the 13th B.C. municipality to do so.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call (250)309-5230.