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Island politicians say no to GMOs

About 200 Island and Gulf Island politicians voted on a resolution to ban genetically engineered food in the region.

A sea of hands at the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities general convention passed Metchosin's resolution to ban genetically modified organisms on the Island.

Sooke hosted this year's event and all but a handful of the 200 politicians voted in favour of banning GMO food on the Island.

Metchosin Coun. Moralea Milne spoke for her resolution and then someone got up to the "con" mic.

"It was Al Seabring, a councillor in North Cowichan. He the resolution wasn't strong enough," said Milne laughing adding Seabring said the motion should be province- or country-wide.

The way the motion is written it is just for Vancouver Island, AVICC will most likely move the motion on to the Union of B.C. Municipalities. UBCM could then pass it on the province.

Milne said the likelihood of it being debated at the UBCM convention would be slim because it is just for this region.

"We could amend it to be not just Vancouver Island and make it for B.C," Milne suggested. "Our province needs to help the farmers transition to non-(genetically engineered) products.

"The farmers didn't take on (genetically engineered) corn because they wanted to hurt people. They did it because they thought it would be better."

charla@goldstreamgazette.com