BioDemocracy Under Attack in California

http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/Stories/0,1413,91~3089~3077389,00.html

Ukiah Daily Journal

GMO bans threatened
Legislators looking to overrule county efforts
By QUINCY CROMER/The Daily Journal

Saturday, October 01, 2005 -

Legislation presented by Senator Dean Florez designed to establish uniform
standards for the regulation of seeds and nursery stock in California could
possibly prevent individual counties from passing ordinances to ban
genetically modified crops, like the one passed in Mendocino County last
year.

Measures were introduced in February by Assemblymembers Simon Salinas,
D-Salinas, and Juan Arambula, D-Fresno, with a joint effort by Senator Dean
Florez, D-Shafter, to establish state standards for the regulation of seeds.

Salinas and Arambula canceled their hearing before the Senate Agricultural
Committee for Assembly Bill 1508 on June 30 and focus was placed on Senate
Bill 1056 authored by Florez.

SB 1056 is designed to clarify that the California Department of Food and
Agriculture has sole authority over the approval of seed and nursery stock
use, preempting local ordinances designed to control genetically modified
crops.

"This bill would state that these provisions of law relating to nursery
stock and seed are of statewide concern and occupy the entire field of
regulation regarding registration, labeling, sale, storage, transportation,
distribution, notification of use, and use of nursery stock and seeds to the
exclusion of local regulations," SB 1056 states.

The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors wrote a letter in opposition of AB
1508 to the Senate Agriculture Committee, stating that the local genetically
modified organism use and propagation ordinance predates any proposed
amendment to state seed law.

"Further, the citizens of Mendocino County sponsored Measure H by initiative
process, which may not be undone or modified by local or state authority,"
the letter dated June 28 states.

According to Mendocino County Agricultural Commissioner David Bengston, the
measure is opposed because a large majority of voters approved Measure H and
a local GMO ban was implemented in March of 2004.

"Since this county has voted by the initiative process to have a ban, the
board voted 4-1 to write a letter opposing the bill," Bengston said. "The
counties and cities basically oppose it because it would take away their
authority and power if they want to make individual bans in counties."

According to Florez's office, local ordinances prohibiting genetically
modified crops create a "confusing patchwork of conflicting regulations that
impede farmers' ability to obtain the best seed for their particular needs."

"Critics of genetically modified seeds often overlook the positive effects
such modifications can have in reducing pesticide consumption and protecting
air quality. Many seeds are now genetically modified to make the plants they
grow more resistant to pests, reducing the amount of harmful pesticides
applied to produce we eat and released into the air we breathe," a press
release from Florez's office states.

Mendocino County implemented the first anti-GMO ordinance in the nation with
Measure H receiving support from 57 percent of voters in March of 2004.

Trinity County became the second county in the nation to pass a ban against
genetically modified crops and more than 56,000 voters -- 61 percent -- in
Marin County passed an initiative to ban GMOs in November.

An anti-GMO measure was defeated in Butte County during elections last
November with 61 percent voter disapproval, and 59 percent of voters in San
Luis Obispo County did not support banning genetically modified crops.

Supporters of a GMO ban in Sonoma County gathered 45,000 signatures to
qualify the initiate for the upcoming ballot, which will be considered by
voters in November.

According to Florez's office, proponents of SB 1056 assert that a statewide
policy will enhance economic growth and assure consumers of a high level of
quality control and 12 states have already passed similar legislation in the
past year.

SB 1056 was approved by committee with a 6-3 vote on June. 28, and an
amended version of the bill was re-referred to committee on Sept. 2.

Quincy Cromer can be reached at udjqc@pacific.net .