by David Edwards
• 50 countries with over 40% of the world’s population already label genetically engineered foods, including the entire European Union. Even China labels genetically engineered foods.
• The California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act would simply require food sold in retail outlets to be labeled if it contains genetically engineered ingredients.
On September 20, 2011, Pamm Larry, a grandmother in Chico, woke up and decided to do everything she could to get an initiative on the California State Ballot to require the labeling of all foods that contain GMO ingredients. On June 11, 2012, her efforts became history, as the “Genetically Engineered Foods, Mandatory Labeling Initiative Statute” qualified for placement on the ballot. I wish to thank our Nevada County Area volunteers for the near 6,000 signatures they collected.
This epic and historic battle is not finished. Indeed, from one point of view it has only begun. Monsanto and its allies are spending tens of millions of dollars to stop this initiative. Their main strategy is to confuse the voters, because they think a confused voter will vote ‘no’. The battle here in California represents the last stand in the United States. How is that the case? Vermont came up with a labeling law, and Monsanto threatened to sue the state if they passed it. Vermont caved, as have all other states and jurisdictions in the same circumstance, which have buckled under Monsanto’s actual or even threatened law suits. California is the ninth largest economy on planet Earth. As such, we wield tremendous economic power. Fifty other countries, most of Europe, and Africa, South America, and Canada have labeling laws and don’t sell food with GMO ingredients. When we pass this historic initiative, it will have a shattering impact on the powerful grip of megacorporations.
To pass this initiative, we must educate the people of California. And to do this, we need volunteers, people like Pamm Larry, or you, dear reader, who have woken up and decided to take action. For more information, please contact David Edwards at: gvlabelgmo@gmail.com or visit our website at: www.nclabelgmos.org.