trdirt
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New ordinance to control GE crops goes to supervisors - 2008/10/11 07:09
This thread discusses the Content article: New ordinance to control GE crops goes to supervisors
Some clarification on AB541. This bill does not protect a farmer’s crop from genetic contamination. This is a law that protects California farmers from the intimidation tactics that biotech companies like Monsanto are using against farmers in other states. Monsanto has aggressively targeted farmers for so-called patent infringement and seed contract violations, even when farmers have had crops contaminated by Monsanto’s GE varieties. The law also establishes a mandatory crop sampling protocol to level the playing field when biotech companies investigate farmers for alleged violations. In essence, it protects farmers when their crops are contaminated, leveling the playing field so Monsanto can’t bully farmers with harassment, trespassing, and frivolous lawsuits.
Unfortunately, The original AB 541 introduced in February 2007 included several other elements that have been removed in order to reach the agreement with opponents. It would have:
1. Established of the country’s first system of notification for the locations of GE crops;
2. Confined experimental pharmaceutical-producing crops to greenhouses to protect the food system from contamination;
3. Clarified that the GE crop manufacturer, and not farmers, is liable in the event of contamination.
Assemblymember Huffman and the bill’s sponsors remain concerned about these issues and committed to pursuing more protections in the future.
For additional information on this topic:
For a copy of the final version of AB 541: http://www.legislature.ca.gov/cgi-bin/port-postquery?bill_number=ab_541&sess=CUR&house=B&author=huffman
For more background on AB 541:
http://www.calgefree.org/speakout.html
http://www.gepolicyalliance.org/
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