AB88 Passed! GE Salmon MUST be Labeled in California -- But There's More...

On May 3rd, 2011, the California Assembly Health Committee passed AB 88, which requires all genetically engineered salmon sold in California to be clearly labeled. This is a first victory, and we thank all of you who took action to make it happen!

The bill now moves to the Appropriations Committee where those members will decide if AB 88 (in terms of costs associated with its implementation) should go to the full Assembly for the final vote.

We need to persuade Appropriations Committee members to vote in favor of AB 88!

The Committee - see the list below - will make a decision on May 18th. It is most critical to persuade at least 8 of these members to vote "yes" to get the bill to full assembly.

What can you do? In brief:
1) check if any of the representatives below is from your district
2) if so, call them as soon as possible to tell them to support AB88 which protects your consumer rights (and let Stacey@responsibletechnology.org know you called)
3) email them or fax them a short letter that says you strongly support AB 88 and you count on them to also vote in favor. Please mention clearly in your call, phone message or written message that you live in the district (indicate city and leave a phone number if you are leaving a phone message).

This is a landmark bill and a serious test of our ability to influence legislators in regard to GMOs.

Thanks for taking action!

The Staff at the Institute For Responsible Technology

Appropriations Committee Members	District	Phone	District	Fax	E-mail
Felipe Fuentes - Chair	Dem-39	(916) 319-2039	818-504-3911	(916) 319-2139	Assemblymember.Fuentes@assembly.ca.gov
Diane Harkey – Vice Chair	Rep-73	(916) 319-2073	760-757-8084	(916) 319-2173	Assemblymember.Harkey@assembly.ca.gov
Bob Blumenfield	Dem-40	(916) 319-2040	818-904-3840	(916) 319-2140	Assemblymember.Blumenfield@assembly.ca.gov
Steven Bradford	Dem-51	(916) 319-2051	310-412-6400	(916) 319-2151	Assemblymember.Bradford@assembly.ca.gov
Charles M. Calderon	Dem-58	(916) 319-2058	562-692-5858	(916) 319-2158	Assemblymember.Calderon@assembly.ca.gov
Nora Campos	Dem-23	(916) 319-2023	408-277-1220	(916) 319-2123	Assemblymember.Campos@assembly.ca.gov
Mike Davis	Dem-48	(916) 319-2048	213-744-2111	(916) 319-2148	Assemblymember.Davis@assembly.ca.gov
Tim Donnelly	Rep -59	(916) 319-2059	760-244-5277	(916) 319-2159	Assemblymember.Donnelly@assembly.ca.gov
Mike Gatto	Dem-43	(916) 319-2043	818-240-6330	(916) 319-2143	Assemblymember.Gatto@assembly.ca.gov
Isadore Hall III	Dem-52	(916) 319-2052	310-223-1201	(916) 319-2152	Assemblymember.Hall@assembly.ca.gov
Jerry Hill	Dem-19	(916) 319-2019	650-349-1900	(916) 319-2119	Assemblymember.Hill@assembly.ca.gov
Ricardo Lara	Dem-50	(916) 319-2050	562-927-1200	(916) 319-2150	Assemblymember.Lara@assembly.ca.gov
Holly J. Mitchell	Dem-47	(916) 319-2047	310-342-1070	(916) 319-2147	Assemblymember.Mitchell@assembly.ca.gov
Jim Nielsen	Rep- 2	(916) 319-2002	530-223-6300	(916) 319-2102	Assemblymember.Nielsen@assembly.ca.gov
Chris Norby	Rep- 72	(916) 319-2072	714-526-7272	(916) 319-2172	Assemblymember.Norby@assembly.ca.gov
Jose Solorio	Dem-69	(916) 319-2069	714-939-8469	(916) 319-2169	Assemblymember.Solorio@assembly.ca.gov
Donald P. Wagner	Rep-70	(916) 319-2070	949-863-7070	(916) 319-2170	Assemblymember.Wagner@assembly.ca.gov

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Stand UP to Monsanto NOW!

LNH Note: Our clients and readership know that LNH is passionate about optimizing nutritional choices. That said, we support FRESHthemovie.com in their efforts to create awareness regarding the current state of our food supply. Most Americans take their food source for granted, or don't even give it a thought, with a, "hey, it's in the store, so it's gotta be ok -- right?" Well, not really.

It's becoming increasingly important that EVERYONE take a good look at the food source and what part corporate chemical giants, such as Monsanto --- the same folks who brought us Agent Orange and other deadly chemicals, play in our food. Please take a moment to read this email from FRESHthemovie.com, and exercise your vote before December 6, 2010 by clicking the link below.

OC

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It probably won’t come as a surprise that Monsanto actually feels they have the right to bypass the US Federal Court system.

Just last August, a Federal court ruled that the USDA’s prior approval of Monsanto’s genetically engineered “Roundup Ready” sugar beets was unlawful because the USDA had neglected to conduct adequate analysis of the impacts of this crop on farmers and the environment. The ruling made it illegal to plant or sell genetically engineered (GE) sugar beets until further studies were conducted, which the USDA estimated would be finished in 2012.

But Monsanto doesn’t play by the rules. They had the audacity to go ahead and plant the illegal seedlings, which, two days ago were ordered to be destroyed by US court. This is the first time in US history that a court has ordered a genetically modified crop destroyed. Despite all of this, the USDA is proposing to allow Monsanto to sell & plant the GE sugar beet seeds this spring. To add insult to injury, we have an absurdly short window to voice our opposition - the USDA is giving us till December 6th to submit comments regarding their proposal.

In the last 48 hours, we've gathered over 6,000 signatures in opposition to the USDA's proposal. Please join us and help us reach 10,000 by Monday. Click here to sign our petition to the USDA by the December 6th deadline.

http://action.freshthemovie.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4856

We cannot let Monsanto’s sugar beets get through - it sets a bad precedent, suggesting that Federal ruling doesn't really mean anything and that Monsanto has more power than the government agencies that are supposed to be maintaining checks and balances to keep our food system safe.

Currently, the USDA does not require manufacturers to label foods that contain GE ingredients. The U.S. is one of the world’s largest sugar producers - sugar beets account for 55% of our sugar products. This year, it's estimated that 95% of the sugar beet seeds in the US are genetically modified. Unless we act now, we aren't going to have an option for non-GMO sugar beets.

The multi-million dollar agriculture companies are pushing hard to get GE foods into our food supply without our knowledge and we have to fight back.

You have till December 6th to sign the petition and rally your friends and family around this important issue. Let's send them 10,000 signatures. Let's rally, as only grassroots organizing can do!

Sign our petition to the USDA now!

Thanks for all you do to stand up to Monsanto.

Eat safe,

Lisa, Ana & Jamie, the FRESH team
FRESHthemovie.com