9-Misc: Defend the Mendocino Ban

[GENET <coordination@genet-info.org>]

                                  PART I
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TITLE:  Action Alert--BioDemocracy Under Attack: Defend the Mendocino Ban
SOURCE: Organic Consumers Association, USA
        http://www.organicconsumers.org/monsanto/defendmeasureh031504.cfm
DATE:   Mar 15, 2004

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ACTION ALERT: BIODEMOCRACY UNDER ATTACK: DEFEND THE MENDOCINO BAN &
SPREAD GE-FREE ZONES THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAS

Activists, farmers, and concerned consumers across the U.S. and the world
have been inspired and energized by the historic vote in Mendocino County
California on March 2, 2004 that banned the production of genetically
engineered crops and animals. Mendocino is the first of 3300 counties in
the U.S to implement such a ban. Mendocino residents voted for the GE ban
despite massive spending by the biotech industry ($700,000) and a non-
stop barrage of misleading advertising and disinformation. For a
grassroots report on this victory see: http://www.organicconsumers.org/
ge/mendocino031104.cfm

The Mendocino victory has rocked Monsanto and the biotech industry, who
fear that grassroots activists across the U.S. and Canada will now follow
Mendocino's example. As Allan Noe, vice-president of CropLife America, a
front group representing Monsanto, DuPont and Syngenta stated, "We don't
want to see this pick up any steam. The activist community is well-known
for championing causes and for going all out to fuel their beliefs."

But of course this is exactly what is happening. As Katrina Frey, an
organic winemaker from Mendocino and a leader of the Proposition H ban
put it: "Mendocino County is the first GMO-free county in the nation, and
I am sure it will not be the last. There are currently nine other
California Counties considering similar measures." Frey's sentiments are
echoed by Canadian farmer Percy Schmeiser, who is fighting a crucial
court battle against Monsanto in Canada's Supreme Court: "This is a great
victory and a wonderful inspiration for farmers and consumers in the
United States and Canada."

But now the Mendocino ban and future similar bans are under heavy attack.
Informed sources have told the OCA that the Farm Bureau and the biotech
lobby are spearheading an effort to introduce a bill in the California
Senate that will nullify the Mendocino GMO ban and make it illegal for
other California counties to pass similar laws. Legislative leaders under
the sway of corporate agribusiness and the Governor of California, Arnold
Schwarzenegger, apparently feel they must stamp out "BioDemocracy" in
California before it spreads any further. OCA and its allies are
organizing a major campaign to stop or defeat this legislation. Last
weekend we met in San Francisco and Berkeley with national anti-GE
activists to plan this campaign. We are also approaching county elected
officials in San Francisco and other areas to pass similar GMO bans. But
we need your help to spread the word, organize city or county GE bans in
your local area, and, most of all, we need donations to finance this
crucial campaign.

Donations are urgently needed. We need to raise at least $50,000 in the
next 30 days from OCA members and supporters to defend the Mendocino
victory and to spread similar bans throughout California, the U.S., and
the Americas. We believe this is the most crucial moment in the ten-year
history of the anti-GE foods movement. Please make an online donation
today by clicking here: www.securemysite.com/greenpeople/ocadonate.cfm

 
                                  PART II
-------------------------------- GENET-news -------------------------------

TITLE:  Bio-crop ban to face challenges
SOURCE: Contra Costa Times, USA, by Judy Silber
DATE:   Mar 6, 2004

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Bio-crop ban to face challenges

The biotechnology industry will likely mount an attack against the
country's first law banning genetically engineered crops passed Tuesday
by voters in Mendocino County.

The industry has no set plan of action but is considering legal and
legislative challenges to the new law, which forbids the growth of
biotechnology crops and animals within county lines.

"It's the precedent that has us concerned," said Allan Noe, spokesman for
CropLife America, an industry trade group that fought the initiative
known as Measure H. "This was bad public policy from our perspective."

Organizers of the Campaign Committee for a GMO-Free Mendocino say they'll
do their best to ward off challenges. The committee successfully defeated
pre-election efforts to derail Measure H, though it had far fewer funds
at its disposal. The biotech industry spent $696,000 compared with
$105,000 spent by supporters of Measure H.

"We've committed too much now to drop it," said Allen Cooperrider, co-
owner of the Ukiah Brewing Company & Restaurant and treasurer of the
campaign committee.

Possible challenges to Measure H could come in the form of federal or
state laws that would override that passed in Mendocino. Or, the industry
could argue that existing laws preempt the initiative.

The new law exemplifies the bitter struggle between the biotech industry
and opponents of genetically engineered foods. The biotech industry has
fought to gain acceptance for genetically engineered crops but has met
with fierce resistance in Europe and Africa. The Mendocino law proves
that even in the United States, where biotech crops are already grown,
the public is still dubious of the technology.

"The industry is freaking out," said Philip Bereano, professor of
technology and public policy at University of Washington. "They have
always said, 'What are you concerned about? Everyone in United States is
comfortable with this.' Mendocino county shows that's a lie."

Acceptance of biotech crops is only a matter of time, said James Zhang,
director of research for Mendel Biotechology Inc., a Hayward plant
biotechnology firm. Genetically engineered corn, soy, canola and cotton
grown in the United States and Canada increase farmers' yields and reduce
their use of herbicides and pesticides. A new generation of crops will
offer other health and environmental benefits, he said.

Backers of the ban say their main concern lies with the economic fallout
that could result from the introduction of biotech crops. They say that
through pollen drift, genes introduced into biotech crops could transfer
to organic farms. That could destroy the county's export business to
Europe, where consumers shun biotech crops. Supporters say they also
worry the genes will transfer to wild plants.

Other counties are taking note of Mendocino's success.

About 200 counties in California and around the country have contacted
the Measure H campaign committee, wanting advice on how to pass their own
laws, said Bret Cooperrider, who worked with his parents to pass the
Mendocino initiative. Humboldt county organizers have already collected
signatures for the November ballot.

 


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