Oregon Senator takes on “Monsanto Protection Act”
(NaturalHealth365) According to Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the so-called Monsanto Protection Act is “one of the most outrageous special interest provisions in years.”Historically, the United States has had a process ensuring that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were not sold, planted and grown until they were proven to be safe for humans and crops. However, “The Monsanto Protection Act overrides that process,” Merkley states on his website, and “that’s just wrong.”
Inspired to reverse this heinous crime against humanity, Merkley has proposed an amendment, to the farm bill, that would repeal the Monsanto Protection Act. He calls for people to sign his petition ASAP and help end this outrageous special interest override of federal judicial decisions.
What exactly is the “Monsanto Protection Act”?
On Tuesday, March 26, the anonymously written “Monsanto Protection Act” was signed by President Obama allowing corporations to sell genetically modified (GM) seeds even when federal courts have blocked them from doing so. It was passed in secret, stuffed discretely 78 pages within the budget bill H.R. 933 that prevented a springtime government shutdown.
Because this was a must-pass bill under tight time constraints, the House and Senate approved it with no debate.
Although researchers and activists have raised significant concerns regarding GMOs, Obama’s signature has veritably given biotech companies like Monsanto complete immunity to continue engineering and selling man-made crops. Even in the event that experimental crops are found to be dangerous or to cause runaway crop plagues, the U.S. government now has no judicial power to stop them from being planted and harvested.
GOP blocks Merkley amendment
On May 23, a member of the GOP blocked Merkley’s request for a vote on his amendment. Indignant about the chain of the events, the Oregon Senator said the following on the floor:
“The fact that the act instructs seed producers to ignore a ruling of the court is troubling. It raises profound questions about the constitutional separation of powers and the ability of our courts to hold agencies accountable to the law and their responsibilities. I can tell you that this process and this policy has provoked outrage across the country!”
Merkley said this just two days before the historical March Against Monsanto – where over 2 million people, from 52 countries, protested to make GMO labeling mandatory.
The battle rages on!
The Biotechnology Industry Organization, a lobbying group that represents Monsanto, DuPont & Co. and other makers of GMOs, has said that it supports voluntary labeling for people who seek out such products. However, it also states that mandatory labeling would only mislead or confuse consumers into thinking genetically engineered products are not safe. Even the FDA has determined that there is no difference between GMO and organic, non-GMO foods!
Stateside, legislatures in Vermont and Connecticut moved ahead this month with votes to require food companies label GMOs. However, local leaders fear that Monsanto and Big Ag will sue individual states on the basis that they are circumventing federal authority.
Commercially, natural supermarket giant Whole Foods Markets Inc. has recently released that all products in its North American stores will clearly label GMOs by 2018. Obviously done as a marketing advantage, Whole Foods reports that there is growing demand for non-GMOs products. Market analysis has stated that the sales of products with a “Non-GMO” verification label has spiked between 15 percent and 30 percent.
Take action today and sign the petition to help Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley take down the Monsanto Protection Act!
About the author: Eric is a peer-reviewed, published researcher. His work on heart disease and autism has been accepted internationally at various scientific conferences through organizations like the American Public Health Association and Australian-based Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute. Be sure to follow his research – here at: NaturalHealth365.com.
Sources:
http://rt.com/usa/monsanto-bill-blunt-agriculture-006/
http://www.merkley.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=7EE6208F-807F-4BF6-B3DD-397DC20ACBB4
http://www.jeffmerkley.com/petition/monsanto/
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