Debate over GMO heats up in California

The debate over genetically modified organisms (GMOs) just got hotter in California last month. Democractic State Sen. Dean Florez introduced an amendment that would effectively remove a community’s control over its food supply.

Florez’s amendment reads in part: "No ordinance or regulation of any political subdivision may prohibit or in any way attempt to regulate any matter related to the registration, labeling, sale, storage, transportation, distribution, notification, or use of field crops."

Counched in legalese, it seems harmless enough. But these controversial overhaul comes in response to three California counties and two cities that banned the raising of the genetically engineered crops and livestocks. Activist groups like Californians for GE-free Agriculture, Environmental Commons, and the Sierra Club are up in arms over the proposed legislation calling it an affront to local democracy.

It is easy to see why. Since California currently does not have any GMO regulations at the state level, the proposed law will successfully eliminate the only limitations that prevent biotech giants like Monsanto and Syngenta from moving in with their patented GE seeds. Moreover, the bill known as SB1056, takes preemptive measures to preclude people from raising concerns about GMOs in the future and in doing so deprives the public of any chance of debate on this hot-button issue.

Becky Tarbotton, campaign coordinator for Californians for GE-free agriculture says: "If SB 1056 or a bill with similar pre-emptive language passes in California, it will effectively override the ability of local communities, including farmers to make decisions about whether or not they want to grow genetically engineered crops."

In addition to an infringement on civil liberties the fundamental problem that environmental groups have with SB 1056 or a bill with a similar pre-emptive language is passed in California, it will effectively override the ability of local communities, including farmers, to make decisions about whether or not they want to grow genetically engineered crops."

According to Laurel Hopwood of the Sierra Club: What’s unfortunate for farmers, especially organic farmers is that the pollen can move from place to place so pollution from any other form is alive. These new life forms multiply, spread, and cannot be recalled. Not only are organic farmers to call their crops organic when it becomes contaminated, but also farmers cannot sell their crops where GMOs are not accepted."

California is the nation’s largest agricultural producers, raising hundred of crops for large-scale export and domestic use. The issue of organic farms losing certification because of GE seed contamination, then. Is just the tip of the icerberg. The European Union and other major importers of Californian foods like Japan have strict policies that forbids the sale of GE crops.