VT: House Passes Labeling Bill for GE Seeds

[theoceansnerves]

MONTPELIER, VT - April 8 - The Vermont House of Representatives voice-voted on final passage to endorse the Farmer’s Right-to-Know Seed Labeling Bill (H-777) today, an act defining ‘genetically engineered’ seeds as different from conventional seeds in the state of Vermont seed statute, and mandating the labeling of all genetically engineered seeds sold in the state. The bill goes back to the Senate next week for confirmation of final changes, before going to Governor Douglas for final approval and enactment. Today’s overwhelming yes vote comes as the Vermont Senate has unanimously approved the Farmer Protection Act in March, and 79 Vermont towns have passed Town Meeting measures calling on lawmakers in Montpelier and Washington enact a moratorium on genetically engineered crops.

Representative Floyd Nease (D-Johnson) reported out the bill, explaining that this act is intended to “avoid potential adverse affects on biological diversity from use of GE seeds.” Nease noted that the bill proscribes labeling of GE seeds by the manufacturer, which can either print or attatch a tag reading “GE” on the seed packets. Responsibility for this labeling rests with seed manufacturers, not Vermont retailers, unless retailers package and market their own GE seeds. Section four of the bill also requires seed manufacturers to report on GE seed sales to the Agency of Agriculture in addition to general seed sales reporting.

“This bill is a step in the right direction. It gives consumers, both farmers and gardeners, the option of choices. I hope we will also, some day, get to vote to protect all of our farms from the economic consequences that may result from the contamination of seeds,” said Representative David Zuckerman (P-Burlington), referring to the Farmer Protection Act, a bill awaiting action in the House Natural Resources Committee, on which he sits.

“The key piece of the Farmer’s Right to Know Act defines genetically engineered seeds and plants as different from conventional varieties. This bucks the industry’s claim that GE is the same as conventional, and therefore doesn’t require any additional regulation. This bill is the first of its kind in the US, and destabilizes the whole premise of ‘substantial equivalence,’ which informs GMO policy at every level,” said Amy Shollenberger, Policy Director at Rural Vermont.

http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/0409-08.htm

[AbsolutMauser]

1. LOL

Where does the industry get a claim that GE is the same as conventional seeds? I've never heard anything so insane.

But anyway, isn't this more of a protective measure for farmers than it is an environmental action? You have GE seeds which lead to higher crop yield, meaning fewer farmers can produce more food. By providing farmers (especially cooperatives) the ability to use the lower producing conventional seeds, they essentially lower supply.

Of course, I am disregarding the environmental impact of improved GE species which could take over natural ones, but the "economic consequences" of "contamination" seem to be lower prices due to greater yield than some sort of concern for the environment.

~AbM

[el_gato]

2. your wrong

It's about choice and you can't make a choice if
you don't have the information.

Many people do not believe in GE and don't want to support it.

[theoceansnerves]

3. protective

yes protective if you mean it protects the farmers from getting sued by monsanto for unknowingly planting ge seeds without paying them for the privilege of using them. of course, this still doesn't protect them if some happen to drift onto their farm. it also in general just makes it easier to choose a conventional seed, for -whatever- reason you so choose.

[rawtribe]

4. Percy Schmeiser

is a farmer from Bruno, Saskatchewan Canada whose Canola fields were contaminated with Monsanto's Round-Up Ready Canola. Monsanto's position is that it doesn't matter whether Schmeiser knew or not that his canola field was contaminated with the Roundup Ready gene and that he must pay their Technology Fee.

http://www.percyschmeiser.com/

[theoceansnerves]

5. yup

that's exactly what i was referring to!