February 2012 Online Newsletter
Wholesale Approval of Genetically Engineered Foods
by: Cornucopia Institute
Over the holidays, the United States Department of Agriculture announced its approval of a novel strain of genetically engineered corn, developed by Monsanto, purportedly being “drought tolerant.”
Despite receiving nearly 45,000 public comments in opposition to this particular genetically engineered (GE) corn variety (and only 23 comments in favor), the Obama administration gave Monsanto the green light to release its newest GE corn variety freely into the environment and American food supply, without any governmental oversight or safety tracking.
Full Article
Monsanto spent $2 million lobbying gov't in 3Q
Monsanto Co. spent $2 million in the third quarter to lobby the federal government on issues including regulations for genetically engineered crops and patent reforms, according to a recent disclosure report.
Full Article
FDA Withdraws Proposal To Limit Livestock Antibiotic Use
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday its withdrawal of a decades-old proposal to limit the use of antibiotics in animal feed, a move experts say could have dire implications for public health.
Full Article
Community Market's Green Business Dashboard
Community Market's most recent green escapade is participating in a pilot project with North Bay Recycling and Collection to pick up are compostable material and take it to Sonoma Vermiculture; a worm farm in Petaluma, CA.
Full Article
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Support the California GMO Labeling Ballot Initiative
This is a statewide Citizens Ballot Initiative that has been in the process for over 6 months with over 40 drafts of the legislation written.
- A total of 504,760 verified signatures need to be captured to get this legislation on the ballot in November. This means about 800,000 will need to be collected (name and address all have to match what your voter registration information says).
- The legislation calls for a comprehensive labeling of all retail products stating “This product contains genetically modified ingredients” or “May contain genetically modified ingredients.”
- The label must be clearly visible on either the front or the back of the packaging material. If it is a produce item, a sign must accompany the product stating “This product has been genetically modified” or “This product may have been genetically modified.”
- This labeling is mandatory for retail only- restaurants will not be subject to this law.
- The legislation includes a piece that states products cannot be labeled as “natural” if they contain GMOs.
- The legislation does not require meat to have a label if the animal ingested GMOs.
- All food companies will have until July of 2014 to comply (if the bill passes).
- Ken Masterson is the petition coordinator. He has a 100% success rate with state-wide petitions and feels very confident that this will make it onto the November ballot.
- April 22nd, 2012 is the deadline for submitting signatures, but we will be submitting the petitions as often as possible in order to ensure we have reached the minimum.
- There is DEFINITLEY need for more volunteers so if anyone wants to be involved go to the website www.labelgmos.org
- In an advanced poll, 75% of Californians said they would support a bill that requires labeling of GMOs.
