-Caveat Lector- Organic View - An e-mail publication of the Organic Consumers Association The Organic Consumers Association is affiliated with the Campaign for Food Safety v.1 n.15 October 14, 1999 Contents 1. Bonior letter Update - Legislation Coming 2. Why Labeling? 3. Hain To Start Labeling GMO-Free 4. Cuban Organic Farming Association Wins Alternative Nobel Prize 5. Activists Gear Up For World Trade Meeting in Seattle 6. Monsanto Halts Terminator Research 7. Important Recent Articles 1. Bonior Letter Update - Legislation Coming Thanks to the many of you who contacted your US Representative or Senator regarding House Minority Whip David Bonior's (D-MI) letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) calling for the labeling of genetically engineered food. (See Organic View, n.14 http://www.organicconsumers.org/RecentNews.stm#action) As we go to press, the following US Representatives have signed on to the Bonior letter: Michael Capuano (D-MA); Bill Clay (D-MO); Peter DeFazio (D-OR); Loyd Doggett (D-TX); Barney Frank (D-MA); Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD); Dennis Kucinich (D-OH); George Miller (D-CA); Patsy Mink (D-HI); ); Martin Sabo (D-MN); Christopher Shays (R-CT); Mike Thompson (D-CA); Tom Udall (D-NM). The deadline for getting additional signers has been extended. So if you have not already, please contact your member of Congress and ask that they sign on to the Bonior letter to the FDA. You can find the mailing address, phone, or e-mail directly your US Representatives at: (http://www.house.gov/writerep/) If you wish, you can call the national Capitol switchboard and ask to speak to your Representative by calling toll-free 1-888-449-3511 (just give them your zip code if you are not sure who your Rep is). Legislation Expected - Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) will be introducing a bill in the next several weeks that calls for the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods. The bill is in its final stages of development, and we will report its specific contents as soon as it is made available. The bill may include a provision which would exclude farmers from liability if genetically engineered material spreads to other farms, focusing possible future liability litigation on the biotech industry, rather than farmers. We will keep you updated in the coming weeks. 2. Why Labeling? OCA firmly believes that genetically engineered crops pose serious environmental and human health risks that have not been adequately tested, and are a direct threat to organic food production. For these reasons, we are actively working toward: (1) the labeling of genetically engineered foods and crops until they are removed from the market; (2) the removal of genetically engineered foods and crops from the market; (3) comprehensive pre-market safety testing of all genetically engineered foods and crops. The largest obstacle to fighting genetically engineered foods is the lack of consumer awareness. Poll after poll has found that between 80 and 95 percent of US consumers want labeling. A Gallup poll released earlier this month found that 68 percent of consumers would actually pay more to cover labeling costs for genetically engineered foods. That same poll found that only 10 percent of consumers have heard much about genetically engineered foods. A vigorous fight to label genetically engineered foods helps raise public awareness about the issue, identify policy-makers who share our concerns, and educate the media. Not least of all, comprehensive labeling would respect consumers' fundamental right-to-know what they are eating. Labeling would give consumers the opportunity to directly pressure food companies that use genetically engineered ingredients, and support those who do not. Additionally, it lays the groundwork to demand pre-market environmental and human health safety testing. However, we should be clear that the labeling of genetically engineered foods and crops does not directly protect organic farmers. The risks of genetically engineered material drifting to neighboring organic farms would still exist. So would increased pest resistance to the valuable natural pesticide Bt - a common tool for organic farmers. And of course, the plethora of environmental and human health risks posed by this technology would still not effectively be addressed. Additionally, there is the possibility that labeling language will be so vague, or in such small print, that it will become meaningless. As efforts to label genetically engineered foods and crops escalate in the US, let's keep in mind the limits of labeling - and what we are all ultimately working toward - the removal of genetically engineered foods from our food supply. 3. Hain To Start Labeling GMO-Free Earlier this month, Hain Food Group announced that it will label its Little Bear line of natural snacks as genetically engineered - free. Hain is switching the oil it uses in its fryers from corn to safflower, a plant yet to be genetically engineered. "The more press it gets, the more it will become an issue for consumers," Andrew Jacobson, a senior executive of Hain Food Group Inc. recently told the Wall Street Journal. Several major food companies are now reacting to what they see as growing consumer opposition to genetically engineered foods. Heinz has announced that it hopes to avoid using genetically modified crops in all its US products. "We're very concerned about consumer sentiment," a Heinz spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal. Worthington Foods, which makes Morningstar Farms veggie burgers, says it will no longer use genetically engineered soybeans. Worthington Foods' responded after a Consumer Reports' test found that Morningstar Farms veggie burgers contained genetically engineered soy. The Wall Street Journal also reported that the food industry is commissioning surveys to track public sentiment toward biotechnology, and Hershey is among several companies evaluating how quickly they could switch their factories from genetically engineered ingredients if necessary. 4. Cuban Organic Farming Association Wins Alternative Nobel Prize The Grupo de Agricultura Organica (GAO), the Cuban organic farming association, which has been at the forefront of the country's transition from industrial to organic agriculture, was named winner of a major international prize--the Right Livelihood Award--commonly known as the 'Alternative Nobel Prize.' The Grupo de Agricultura Organica is one of four winners of the 1999 Right Livelihood Award, chosen from more than 80 candidates from 40 countries. GAO brings together farmers, farm managers, field experts, researchers, and government officials to develop and promote organic farming methods. Its aim is to convince Cuban farmers and policy-makers that the country's previous high-input farming model was too import-dependent and environmentally damaging to be sustainable, and that the organic alternative has the potential to achieve equally good yields. During the 1990s Cuba overcame a severe food shortage caused by the collapse of its trade relations with the former Soviet-bloc and the on-going U.S. trade embargo. Self-reliant organic farming played a significant role in overcoming the crisis. Peter Rosset, executive director of Food First, said: "This award shows the enormous potential of sustainable agriculture, which is so underexploited in other countries. The whole world should learn from Cuba." Dr. Rosset went on to say that "in Cuba, organic is for everyone, not just for those who can afford it." For more information on GAO or Food First: http://www.foodfirst.org/progs/global/cuba 5. Activists Gear Up For World Trade Meeting in Seattle After Thanksgiving, some 5,000 delegates from 134 countries will gather in Seattle to convene a meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO). That meeting could have profound implications for food safety and environmental laws in the US, and the future of genetically engineered foods worldwide. The WTO was set up in 1995 at the formal end of the Uruguay round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). It is now the most powerful trade body in the world, providing legally binding rules for international commerce and trade policy. The WTO also settles trade disputes in closed panels, with members of the press, general public and citizen groups prohibited from observing, much less participating. The WTO trade dispute panel has consistently ruled against strong health and environmental laws. For example, it recently ruled against the European Union, which has banned the import of US hormone-treated beef because of health concerns. The WTO's power has also pressured the US to water down dolphin protections and clean air regulations, Guatemala to weaken its implementation of the UNICEF baby formula marketing code that protects babies from disease caused when mothers mix infant formula with contaminated water, and South Korea to lower food safety standards on produce inspection and the shelf life of meat. US Department of Agriculture and US Trade Representatives have repeatedly told the media that they hope to use the WTO to force open European markets to accept US grown genetically engineered crops. The European Union has placed a moratorium on approving new genetically engineered crops, and the EU, Australia and Japan have developed or are in the process of developing labeling laws. Mass protest including some 300 organizations are planned for Seattle. The diverse group of environmental, labor and consumer organizations are calling for a reduction in the WTO's powers and want to ensure that countries retain the ability to enact and maintain their own public health and safety laws. For a citizen's guide to the WTO, go to: http://www.tradewatch.org/publications/gtwpubs.htm To find out the latest information about activist opposition to the WTO Conference in Seattle, -- subscribe to WTO News: The Road to Seattle. Send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED], with the message: subscribe road_to_seattle 6. Monsanto Halts Terminator Technology In a major move Monsanto announced earlier this month that it would stop the development of the controversial genetically engineered "Terminator" technology - which makes it impossible for farmers to hold seeds over from one season to the next by rendering the engineered seeds sterile. (See Organic View, n 13 http://www.organicconsumers.org/ov13.stm#terminator ) Monsanto is the second major biotech company to back away from terminator technology. In June, the British-based AstraZeneca company announced it would not commercialize seed sterility technologies. The Terminator technology would solidify control of farmers' seeds and crop control systems, and directly threaten small, third world farmers. According to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the well-being of 1.4 billion poor people in Third World countries depend on farm-saved seed for their food security. The Terminator was jointly developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Delta and Pine Land Company - a cotton company that Monsanto has being trying to take over for more than a year but is being held up for anti-trust review. While Monsanto announced that if it acquires Delta and Pine Land it will not market Terminator technology, the company said it would continue Terminator research for internal use. And Delta and Pine said it will continue its research as long as it remains independent of Monsanto. Additionally, Monsanto and other biotech companies are developing closely-related technologies which will switch on or off genetic traits based on whether farmers use their patented pesticides. The USDA is still firmly supporting the Terminator technology. "I think Monsanto needs to carefully reconsider its position," Richard Parry, USDA assistant administrator for technology transfer, told the Wall Street Journal. 7. Important Recent Articles Below are the titles and links to interesting articles published recently on issues related to organic food and food safety. These articles can be found on the website of our affiliated organization, the Campaign for Food Safety (www.campaignforfoodsafety.org) 10-12 A Group Sows Seeds of Revolt Against Genetically Altered Foods http://www.campaignforfoodsafety.ORG/ge/plotdownbio.cfm 10-7 Hain Food's New Labeling May Prompt U.S. Shoppers to Demand 'Biotech-Free' http://www.campaignforfoodsafety.ORG/ge/hainlabel.cfm 10-5 Protest May Mow Down Trend to Alter Crops http://www.campaignforfoodsafety.ORG/ge/labioattack.cfm Note: Previous issues of Organic View can be found at: www.organicconsumers.org Or you can e-mail requests for back issues to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please Re-print and distribute Organic View. We ask only that proper attribution is included. Thank you for subscribing to Organic View. You are one of over 5,500 subscribers who receive this publication. Want to get more involved with Organic Consumers Association? 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