Organic Agriculture Act of 2009 (Text from senate) may be a step back, away from food security for the Filipino people.

Why? Though the text has no mention of GM food restriction or special labeling, it uses in its definition of "organic agriculture" the definition held by International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). And this organization outright rejects the use of Genetically-modified organisms in agriculture. Looking at the reasons of IFOAM, one feels that they are more about propaganda rather than evidence as so far, no studies have shown that GM foods cause "genetic pollution", are "threats to human health" or lead to "violation of farmers' fundamental property rights and endangerment of their economic independence." What is truly laughable is their claim that genetic engineering is "incompatible with sustainable agriculture."

GM foods have been in use in the country for years now and several prominent research and extension programs by IRRI and UPLB is using modern genetic engineering technology in order to help farmers achieve better yield while protecting the environment from harm. Making organic agriculture the national policy would make these efforts moot and useless.

Organic agriculture methods might have to be adopted but it doesn't mean that we should reject genetic engineering. Our country cannot afford to neglect a tool that will help it achieve food security.

It comes to me as a surprise that the act is just waiting for the signature of pGMA to be approved. Where are the GM advocacy groups when we need them? The DOST have attended the hearings, why then is the definition of organic agriculture so restricting?

And it comes at a time when the US is calling for a rethinking of agriculture.