[S-C] Fwd: CA to nullify Mendocino GMO ban?

[Kevin Shrieve]

From: biodemocracy@lists.organicconsumers.org
Subject: Action Alert--BioDemocracy Under Attack: Defend the Mendocino Ban
Date-Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 2:01 PM -0600

ACTION ALERT
BIODEMOCRACY UNDER ATTACK:
DEFEND THE MENDOCINO BAN & SPREAD GE-FREE ZONES THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAS

Activists, farmers, and concerned consumers across the U.S. and the world=20
have been inspired and energized by the historic vote in Mendocino County=20
California on March 2, 2004 that banned the production of genetically=20
engineered crops and animals. Mendocino is the first of 3300 counties in=20
the U.S to implement such a ban. Mendocino residents voted for the GE ban=20
despite massive spending by the biotech industry ($700,000) and a non-stop=20
barrage of misleading advertising and disinformation. For a grassroots=20
report on this victory see:=20
http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/mendocino031104.cfm

The Mendocino victory has rocked Monsanto and the biotech industry, who=20
fear that grassroots activists across the U.S. and Canada will now follow=20
Mendocino's example. As Allan Noe, vice-president of CropLife America, a=20
front group representing Monsanto, DuPont and Syngenta stated, "We don't=20
want to see this pick up any steam. The activist community is well-known=20
for championing causes and for going all out to fuel their beliefs."

Of course this is exactly what is happening. As Katrina Frey, an organic=20
winemaker from Mendocino and a leader of the Proposition H ban put it:=20
"Mendocino County is the first GMO-free County in the nation, and I am sure =

it will not be the last. There are currently nine other California Counties =

considering similar measures." Frey's sentiments are echoed by Canadian=20
farmer Percy Schmeiser, who is fighting a crucial court battle against=20
Monsanto in Canada's Supreme Court: "This is a great victory and a=20
wonderful inspiration for farmers and consumers in the United States and=20
Canada."

But now the Mendocino ban and future similar bans are under heavy attack.=20
Informed sources have told the OCA that the Farm Bureau and the biotech=20
lobby are spearheading an effort to introduce a bill in the California=20
Senate that will nullify the Mendocino GMO ban and make it illegal for=20
other California counties to pass similar laws. Legislative leaders under=20
the sway of corporate agribusiness and the Governor of California, Arnold=20
Schwarzenegger, apparently feel they must stamp out "BioDemocracy" in=20
California before it spreads any further. OCA and its allies are organizing =

a major campaign to stop or defeat this legislation. Last weekend we met in =

San Francisco and Berkeley with national anti-GE activists to plan this=20
campaign. We are also approaching county elected officials in San Francisco =

and other areas to pass similar GMO bans. But we need your help to spread=20
the word, organize city or county GE bans in your local area, and, most of=20
all, we need donations to finance this crucial campaign.

**********
Donations are urgently needed!

We need to raise at least $50,000 in the next 30 days from OCA members and=20
supporters to defend the Mendocino victory and to spread similar bans=20
throughout California, the U.S., and the Americas.

We believe this is the most crucial moment in the ten-year history of the=20
anti-GE foods movement.

Please make an online donation today by clicking here:
https://www.securemysite.com/greenpeople/ocadonate.cfm

If you prefer to send a check, please mail a check made out to=20
"OCA/BioDemocracy Alliance" to our national office:

Organic Consumers Association
6101 Cliff Estate Road
Little Marais, Minnesota 55614

All Contributions are tax-deductible. We will keep you informed on all=20
developments.

In Solidarity,

Ronnie Cummins
National Director--Organic Consumers Association
218-226-4164 =B7
Fax: 218-353-7652
http://www.OrganicConsumers.org

**********