Take Action: SAY NO TO THE BIOTECH AGENDA OF SEED OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OVER OUR FOOD

MARK INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FARMER STRUGGLES THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 17
SAY NO TO THE BIOTECH AGENDA OF SEED OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OVER OUR FOOD

Come stand in solidarity with the farmers, peasants, and landless farm workers in Maine and around the world who are struggling for their basic rights to land, water, stable and fair local food   economies, and the right to save seeds. Come stand in support of a food system that is just, safe, secure, and democratic. Please take action. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUPPORT
1) Support a Moratorium on Pharmaceutical Producing Crops for Maine  (LD 708)
2) Support Requiring Annual Reporting on Genetically Engineered Crops (LD 965)
3) Support New Rights for Farmers Under Attack by Biotech Companies (LD 1202)

OPPOSE
1) Oppose Making Organic Farmers Primarily Responsible for Preventing GE Contamination (LD 804)

Please use the form below to send an email to your State Representatives and Senators, as well as the members of the Agriculture Committee.  This email covers ALL 4 bills. We STRONGLY encourage you to personalize this email.

Javascript must be enabled to use this action.

FULL DETAILS ON THE BILLS


1)  LD 708 AN ACT TO CREATE A MORATORIUM ON THE OPEN-AIR PRODUCTION OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED PHARMACEUTICAL CROPS IN MAINE

 
BILL SUMMARY: 
This bill defines "pharmaceutical or industrial crop" and restricts production to indoor laboratory and research settings to prevent release of genetically engineered material from these crops. It requires the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to monitor and report changes in the federal regulation of these crops.

UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING:
LD 708 will be heard Friday, April 17 Room 206 of the Cross State Office Building.
 
FOOD FOR MAINE'S FUTURE'S POSITION: SUPPORT
Food for Maine's Future opposes the placement of pharmaceuticals into food crops. The uncertainty of the safety of genetic engineering and the near certainty of contamination means that pharmaceutical crops pose too great a risk to our food supply. While FMF would support an outright ban on the production of pharmaceutical crops, having a moratorium on outdoor production in place is far better than not having one.   
 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2)  LD 804 AN ACT TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL CROPS
 
BILL SUMMARY: 
This bill requires all producers engaged in organic crop production to file an organic system plan within 30 days of planting. The plan must include evidence that sufficient buffer zones are incorporated into the operation to ensure the integrity of the organic crop operation. If the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources finds that an organic system plan does not provide evidence of sound measures to ensure the integrity of the organic crop operation, the commissioner is authorized to report
inadequate buffer zones to the United States Department of Agriculture, National Organic Program. If the commissioner finds that a farmer using genetically engineered plant parts, seeds or plants is not adhering to the use of best management practices or that the organic system plan filed by a producer does not ensure the integrity of the organic crop operation, the commissioner is directed to recommend best management practices to the farmer or the producer.
 
UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING:
LD 804 will be heard Friday, April 17 Room 206 of the Cross State Office Building.
 
FOOD FOR MAINE'S FUTURE'S POSITION: OPPOSED
LD 804 effectively places the responsibility for keeping genetically engineered plant material out of organic crops on the organic producer, rather than where it rightly belongs -- on the corporation that owns the technology. Preventing genetic contamination has proven to be impractical and impossible. John Jemison of UMaine Cooperative Extension found evidence of canola contamination in Aroostook County and Fedco Seeds found gmo contamination in their seed corn. The message here is that pollen cannot be contained, therefore contamination is inevitable. It is the responsibility of the owner of the technology to ensure their patented products do not end up in organic fields and cost organic farmers their markets. It is not the organic producer's responsibility when contamination does occur, nor is it the responsibility of the gmo farmer who is merely leasing the technology.
 
TAKE ACTION!
Testify at Friday's public hearing or send written comments to Melissa Wright, ACF committee clerk at Melissa.Wright@legislature.maine.gov.
 
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3)  LD 965 AN ACT TO REQUIRE ANNUAL REPORTING OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED CROPS
 
BILL SUMMARY: 
This bill requires a manufacturer to annually report to the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources an estimate of the potential acreage of genetically modified crops that could be planted based on sales.
 
UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING:
LD 965 will be heard Friday, April 17 Room 206 of the Cross State Office Building.
 
FOOD FOR MAINE'S FUTURE'S POSITION: SUPPORT
 
TAKE ACTION!
Testify at Friday's public hearing or send written comments to Melissa Wright, ACF committee clerk at Melissa.Wright@legislature.maine.gov.
 
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4)    LD 1202 AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A FARMER'S RIGHTS IN AN INVESTIGATION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY THEFT OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED MATERIAL
 
BILL SUMMARY: 
This bill does the following.
1. It provides for a process by which a manufacturer of a genetically engineered plant part, seed or plant may investigate a violation of a technology use agreement and the rights of a farmer during an investigation.
2. It creates a right of action as and damages for a private nuisance against a manufacturer of a genetically engineered plant part, seed or plant that cross-contaminates a person's land and limits the liability of knowing and unknowing users and possessors of a genetically engineered plant part, seed or plant.
 
UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING:
LD 1202 will be heard Friday, April 17 Room 206 of the Cross State Office Building.
 
FOOD FOR MAINE'S FUTURE'S POSITION: SUPPORT
LD 1202 creates procedures for investigations in Maine into alleged illegal possession of patented genetically engineered material. This bill establishes that a court order must be obtained prior to investigation of Maine farmers. Farmers accused of illegally possessing patented genetic material would have advanced notice (5 days) before investigators can come onto their land; give farmers the option of having independent third party samples taken; and protect against warrantless searches. Most importantly, LD1202 makes the technology manufacturer liable for genetic contamination and allows for the seeking of damages resulting from unwanted contamination. 
 
TAKE ACTION!
Testify at Friday's public hearing or send written comments to Melissa Wright, ACF committee clerk at Melissa.Wright@legislature.maine.