in this section: Take action

Protect Organic Farmers!  Support Labeling for GE foods

Over the last several months, the US Dept. of Agriculture has approved the release of genetically-engineered (GE) alfalfa and sugar beets.  GE materials are forbidden in organic farming and food, but if these new GE varieties are planted, it could lead to contamination of everything from organic milk to organic salad mixes. 

Pollen from GE alfalfa will escape into the environment and pollute organic alfalfa, the single most important grass for feeding organic dairy cows.

A bill in the NC House of Representatives, HB 446, would require labeling for all GE foods sold in NC.  Labeling levels the playing field by ensuring consumers’ right to know what’s in their food, and protecting farmers from lawsuits by Monsanto and other GE food producers.  93% of Americans want GE food labeling!

Take Action!
Call the Agriculture Committee of the NC House of Representatives and with this simple message:
“I am calling because I am concerned about agriculture in North Carolina.  The federal government is hurting our state’s small and organic farmers with regulations promoting genetically-engineered crops that farmers don’t need.  Farmers need protection from unjust prosecution by GE-seed makers and their legions of lawyers.  Please support consumers’ rights to know what is in our food by holding hearings on HB 446.”

Here are the numbers to call:

Rep. James Langdon, 919-733-5849

Rep. Efton Sager, 919-733-5755

For More Information
To read the bill, go to http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2011/Bills/House/PDF/H446v1.pdf.
For more information on the GE threat to organic farming, visit the Center for Food Safety, http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/, and the National Organic Coalition http://www.nationalorganiccoalition.org/. 

Read about the recent lawsuit filed by the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association and others challenging Monsanto’s GE patents and business practices here:
http://www.pubpat.org/monsanto-seed-patents.htm.