Farm Bill Action Alert--June 7, 2007
ACTION ALERT—Call or write your congressional representative requesting removal of recently added Sec. 123 in the 2007 Farm Bill draft that would prevent states and counties from determining whether genetically modified crops can be grown.
Please forward this action alert to friends who share your concern about food safety.
The biotech industry and agribusiness have been pushing similar state bills, but now they are trying to hide it in the very lengthy Farm Bill. Please write to the Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Collin C. Peterson, MN and other members of that committee. You can view the list of committee members at: http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/members.html
Many house members prefer that you contact them via their web site.
Sample letter to members of the House Committee on Agriculture
(You can cut and paste this letter or modify as you choose)
Subject: No preemptive language in the Farm Bill to override local democratically-passed laws that protect citizens from risky foods
Dear (name of representative);
I write to strongly oppose the pre-emptive language of Section 123 “Effect of USDA Inspection and Determination of Non-Regulated Status,” in the House Farm Bill inserted by the subcommittee on Livestock, Diary and Poultry on May 24.
This language in the Farm Bill would preempt the rights of states and localities to pass regulations regarding food or agricultural products or methods that the USDA has granted “non-regulated status.”
SEC 123. EFFECT OF USDA INSPECTION AND DETERMINATION OF NON-REGULATED STATUS. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no State or locality shall make any law prohibiting the use in commerce of an article that the Secretary of Agriculture has:
(1.) inspected and passed; or
(2.) determined to be of non-regulated status.
If included in the Farm Bill, this would negate all current state and local safety laws, including laws on genetically engineered crops and organisms. Hiding this provision in the Farm Bill without full public debate would negate the will of voters who have decided that precautions should be taken until genetically engineered agricultural products can be proven safe.
I urge you to oppose any language in the Farm Bill that would preempt state and local rights to make democratic decisions to protect their own health, food safety, and agricultural production.
Sincerely,
(Your name)