TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Agriculture and County Counsel
MEETING DATE: February 9, 2021
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Jim Donnelly
PHONE:
234-6830
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Matthew Kiedrowski
PHONE:
234-6885
ITEM TYPE: Regular Agenda
TIME ALLOCATED FOR ITEM: 15 min.
AGENDA TITLE:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Introduce and Waive First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Section 10A.15A.030 of the Mendocino County Code Modifying Certain Definitions Related to Genetically Modified Organisms
(Sponsor: County Counsel)
End
RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION:
recommendation
Introduce and waive first reading of an ordinance amending section 10A.15A.030 of the Mendocino County Code modifying certain definitions related to genetically modified organisms.
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PREVIOUS BOARD/BOARD COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
On February 26, 2019, the Board of Supervisors adopted an urgency ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on cultivation of genetically modified organisms. A second urgency ordinance extending the temporary moratorium was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on April 9, 2019. On February 25, 2020, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 4459, adding Chapter 10A.15A to the Mendocino County Code, and, in response to public comment, directed staff to work with interested parties regarding definition modifications.
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
Staff outreached with interested parties during 2020 regarding the concerns over the definitions adopted in February 2020. After several rounds of proposed revisions to section 10A.15A.030, staff believes the definitions as modified resolve the concerns raised in February 2020. The definitions are reorganized for clarity, include minor changes for better scientific accuracy, and specify that while certain stated techniques are not themselves genetic engineering, if those techniques are used with genetically modified organisms, then that technique is considered genetic engineering.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION/MOTIO...
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