Wildlife Refuge Used for Genetically Modified Crops

[Angry Girl]

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has decided to expand a controversial give-away in which local farmers grow genetically modified soybeans and corn on Delaware’s at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) today released a letter protesting the move as wreaking ecological havoc and violating the Service’s own policies.

“Plowing under high-quality grasslands to plant soybeans does wildlife no good and sets a terrible precedent affecting the entire National Wildlife Refuge System,” stated Gene Hocutt, the head of PEER’s Refuge Keeper program and a former long-time refuge manager. “Prime Hook is supposed to be a National Wildlife Refuge – not a national soybean patch!”

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge covers some 10,000 acres but 500 of those acres are being used by local farmers to grow soybeans and corn. The farmers switched over to genetically modified crops in 2001. At that time, the Refuge took 150 acres (3 fields each about 50 acres in size) out of the farming program to participate in a regional Grassland Bird study. The study found rare plants and insects as well as unique birding opportunities. Despite those findings, the Refuge now plans to put the 150 study acres back into cultivation.

“The Fish & Wildlife Service dropped its fig leaf when it decided to give away even the little bit of acreage needed for the biological study,” Hocutt added, noting that data collection on natural plant communities and bird use will have to cease and the $200,000 spent on the study will be wasted.

http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/1107-09.htm

[JetboyOne]

1. I'd really be surprised

if the farmers are harvesting any of those crops. Ducks and geese really devour alot of soybeans in a day.

[WhiteTara]

3. well, then we should see the results of the bad

policies that encourage gmos. Welcome to DU JetboyOne :hi:

[JudyM]

2. Everywhere we turn, more rethug "progress" n/t

[Cha]

4. I wish they would keep

their fucking frankenfingers outta our Nature Preserves and Organic Farming land.

[meganmonkey]

5. On that note

I'm going to bed :(

[pinto]

6. 500 out of 10,000 acres seem OK for soybean production.

As far as the debate about the 150 acres mentioned in the article,
it seems to be a squabble about the funding, and space, for a Grassland Bird study, *not* a study about GE crops.

Geeez. I admire and support PEER's work, but this is pushing it a bit.

[Nothing Without Hope]

7. An outrage, but not a surprise. Kicked, bookmarked and recommended

with thanks. :kick:

[enough]

8. kick