Nominee could hurt local farms

I have been a resident of rural Albemarle since I was 7 and have grown up with a deep appreciation for our local farms and growing organic movement. Our county proudly identifies itself as a “green” farming location and has even won awards for its environmentally friendly activities.

While we are well attuned to our local agricultural development, perhaps we too often neglect to look for threats from the outside. Specifically, I am concerned regarding the recent nomination of Islam Siddiqui for chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

According to the Center for Biological Diversity in its Nov. 18 press release, Siddiqui worked for eight years lobbying for agribusiness corporations such as Monsanto, DuPont and Dow Chemical, and is currently employed as the vice president of science and regulatory affairs at CropLife America, a biotech and pesticide trade group.
While he was with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Siddiqui oversaw the development of the original national organic labeling requirements that allowed certification of sludge-fertilized, irradiated and genetically modified foods. He also has criticized the European Union’s ban on beef treated with hormones and has promised to pressure them into accepting more genetically modified crops.

Siddiqui’s nomination, and the local repercussions of his confirmation by the Senate, should be made known to all the residents of our county. I have confidence that a majority from our forward-looking community will join me in writing to urge Sen. Jim Webb and Sen. Mark Warner to reject Siddiqui’s nomination. More than 80 small-farm, organic and environmental groups nationwide have already voiced their opposition, and it is our time to join them.