Previous Article | Next Article

Alert! Willamette Valley in Danger Due to Canola Bans Lifting

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is fast tracking their decision to allow canola to be grown in the Valley, including genetically modified canola. This would be a huge problem, especially for seed growers, permanently ending the reign of the Willamette Valley as one of the top 5 place in the world for growing and supplying specialty seed and maintaining seed diversity. Canola is very invasive and can cross pollinate with many different crops including turnips, broccoli raab, some kales, rutabaga, and possibly radish and broccoli. GM canola cross pollination would also potentially threaten the livelihood of any of the certified organic growers in the area, as well as seed diversity. There are good reasons why canola has been banned in the Willamette Valley by ODA up to this point, and pressure on ODA to lift these bans needs to be countered.

We are delving deeper into the issue and are currently waiting to see what the draft rules will be so we can best know how to fight this decision. We will provide ways for you to engage and weigh in soon, so stay turned for more news and sign up for our action alerts if you haven’t yet (link to Barnyard signup). In the meantime, we’ve gathered together a list of resources and articles to share with you here:

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is fast tracking their decision to allow canola to be grown in the Valley, including genetically modified canola. This would be a huge problem, especially for seed growers, permanently ending the reign of the Willamette Valley as one of the top 5 places in the world for growing and supplying specialty seed and maintaining seed diversity. Canola is very invasive and can cross pollinate with many different crops including turnips, broccoli raab, some kales, rutabaga, and possibly radish and broccoli. GM canola cross pollination would also potentially threaten the livelihood of any of the certified organic growers in the area, as well as seed diversity. There are good reasons why canola has been banned in the Willamette Valley by ODA up to this point, and pressure on ODA to lift these bans needs to be countered.

We are delving deeper into the issue and are currently waiting to see what the draft rules will be so we can best know how to fight this decision. We will provide ways for you to engage and weigh in soon, so stay turned for more news and sign up for our action alerts if you haven’t yet. In the meantime, we’ve gathered together a list of resources and articles to share with you here:

Current ODA rules on canola, currently being revisited

2006 OSU Special Report on Canola Outcrossing Potential in the Willamette Valley

Willamette Valley farmers continue the canola debate, The Oregonian, April 3, 2012

For Oregon farmers, oil-rich canola is either promise or peril, The Oregonian, Feb. 18, 2012

Legislature gets earful on canola restrictions, Capital Press, Jan. 14, 2010

Wild Garden Seeds Article by Frank Morton: GMOs at the Door

Canola good for bio-fuels, but dangerous for other crops, The Oregonian, Oct. 23, 2009