If you ever doubted that the executives of Monsanto believe themselves to be above everyone and everything – even the Law – well then, try this one on for size.
Fresh off victory over Prop 37 in California last month which would have required the labeling of GMO foods, Monsanto is trying to one up all of us yet again.
An omnibus appropriations bill for 2013 is currently being drafted behind closed doors by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees with the hope that it will be put to a vote and passed before January 2013.
The lame duck Congress combined with a public distracted with the upcoming holiday season has provided Monsanto with the perfect opportunity to score a fast one.
Monsanto lobbyists are pushing for a rider to the appropriations bill deceptively cloaked as the “farmer assurance provision”.
The true purpose of this biotech rider is to allow Monsanto to cut off the public’s access to the courts in order to stop its rapid and accelerating introduction of new GMOs to the marketplace.
According to the Organic Consumers Association, the Monsanto Rider would give the Secretary of Agriculture the power to grant a temporary permit for planting or cultivating a genetically engineered crop, even if a federal court has ordered the planting be halted until an Environmental Impact Statement is completed!
This Rider would in essence give Monsanto power that is above the law and beyond the courts. Previous court cases have recognized the right of farmers to grow non-GMO crops and the rights of consumers to eat non-GMO foods. Contamination from new GMO crops where an Environmental Impact Statement hasn’t even been completed yet is a very real threat and judges recognize this fact. Â As a result, Monsanto is trying to bypass the courts completely with this Monsanto Rider sneak attack.
Congress intends to try and pass the 2013 Appropriations Bill before the end of the lame duck session in January 2013 when the new Congress will take over power.
It is imperative that we all pull together to stop this rider from inclusion today! Â
Click here to fill in your zip code and name which will then automatically find your appropriate US Representative and Senators and send them a letter drafted by the Organic Consumers Association urging them to oppose any efforts to include the Monsanto Rider in the 2013 Appropriations Bill.
You can read the Monsanto rider here:Â http://appropriations.house.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Tony
I work at Monsanto. Hit me with your complaints. I can’t speak for teh company by I can tell you the truth and about how much the info you read on the internet is simply not true. If you want to know the truth ask me
sara coyne
Hello tony, you work for Monsanto, which mean’s your just as bad as them, which means who would confide in you for answers when we the people are not blind to what is really going on?, do me a favor, and grow a pair, maybee you will even get some common sense with that as well. So fuck off and have a nice day 😉 and don’t forget to choke on your GMO food!!!!!!!!!!
Anela Seed via Facebook
we meet to stent up for our future and our children
Jen Toecar via Facebook
Thank you for sharing this!!
Theresa Lowry Aikin via Facebook
Signed!
Loubna Zahri via Facebook
done.
Erika Queen via Facebook
Signed and reposted!
Elizabeth Proctor via Facebook
Man, oh man… I wish Canadians could sign that petition. What happens with this bill will determine how Canada’s government acts. Unfortunately, in this regard, we are followers, not leaders.
Christie Polaski Riopelle via Facebook
done
Katy Johnson via Facebook
http://www.osgata.org/osgata-et-al-v-monsanto/
Andrea Goldman via Facebook
Signed!