Last week the U.S. House voted to extend the so-called “Monsanto Protection Act” in the short-term three month appropriations bill. The rider “undermines federal courts’ ability to safeguard farmers and the environment from potentially hazardous genetically engineered (GE) crops,” according to the Center for Food Safety.
Colin O’Neil, director of Government affairs for the Center for Food Safety said in a statement, “it is extremely disappointing to see the damaging ‘Monsanto Protection Act” policy rider extended in the House spending bill. Hundreds of thousands of Americans called their elected officials to voice their frustration and disappointment over the inclusion of the Act this past spring. Its inclusion is a slap in the face to the American public and to our justice system.”
The rider strips federal courts of their authority to halt the salt and planting of illegal GE and GMO crops during the legal appeals process, and forces the USDA to allow planting upon request. CFS is calling on the Senate to exclude the rider when it votes on the spending bill.
CFS, along with other groups including the National Farmers Union, ACLU, Sierra Club, Environmental Working Group, Consumers Union, and others is sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Reid and Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Mikulski, asking them to strip the rider from the bill.
