REAL LIFE DEMOCRACY APPARENTLY DOES NOT WORK: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GMO LABELING BILL IN CT?

If not us then who? If not now then when?

I always hate to be the bearer of bad news, but in case you haven't heard, the mandatory GMO labeling bill in CT was chewed up and spit back out by Governor Malloy and his attorneys in a closed door meeting on Friday.  The information was sent to myself and Analiese Paik, my partner in crime and co-founder of Right to Know CT, in an e-mail from a source deep within the administration with the simple words, "It appears that after meeting with the Governor, section 2 will need to be removed."  I had a terrible sinking feeling because I knew immediately what that meant.  Section 2 was the heart of the bill, the section that called for mandatory labeling of all products produced with the process of genetic engineering.  But, in hopes that the glass of wine I just finished over dinner was getting to my head, I quickly pulled up the bill on my iPhone hoping I was mistaken.  As I scrolled down to Section 2, I looked at my husband and said, "The Governor just killed the bill."  The Governor and his lawyers left the bill meaningless and without life.  In an official statement from Right to Know CT by Analiese Paik it was clear that "Right to Know CT will no longer endorse or support HB 5117, An Act Concerning Genetically Engineered Foods. Rep. Richard Roy is our hero and we supported his bill by advocating for its passage through our grassroots campaign. But it no longer reflects his intent to mandate the labeling of GE foods and we feel compelled to register our discontent by withdrawing our support for the bill."

GMOS as described by a child on his sign, Genetically Modified Out of Style Foods

Many people have asked me how I'm feeling about how all of this played out.  As you can imagine, after dedicating 99% of my time to the advocacy efforts for our right to know what is in our food, I was initially quite devastated.  I thought of all those hours I spent away from my children, all the time I spent sitting at my computer, and all the nights I chose not to go out with my friends because I needed to be working on the campaign.  But, after shedding some tears and expressing a lot of anger,  I, along with my fellow advocates came out on the other side feeling more passionate than ever before.  Not to sound melodramatic, but I am fighting for my children's future and the future of every child out there.  It may seem like we lost this battle, but in reality, what happened in CT has only strengthened our troops.  They don't realize it yet, but they woke a sleeping bear, or to quote Analiese, "They kicked the hornets nest."

Defend your constituents

Our government is choosing to put the interests of the monstrous biotech industry in front of the rights of the American people.  The reason given for removing Sec. 2 from the bill - it would violate the constitution and put CT at risk for being sued.   The biotech industry claims they have a constitutional commercial right to stay silent and not label foods as genetically engineered and our government is buying into this propoganda (i.e BS) and allowing the industry to trump our right to know.  Top attorneys from around the  United States who specialize in this area of the law made it very clear that states can mandate the labeling of products produced with the process of genetic engineering as long as the labeling law is reasonably related to legitimate state interests, such as health, economic considerations, protecting the environment, and giving the CT consumer the right to know what is in their food.

The citizens of fifty other countries are afforded the right to know what is in their food, yet here in America, we need to play detective to figure out what foods contain GMOs.  I simply want the right to know what is in our food so I can make the choice to feed GMOs to my family or not.  Without clear labeling, this choice is not ours to make.  I am disillusioned right now, and am uncertain whether we will ever get labeling laws passed in this country.  If CT couldn't make it happen with 90% of consumers calling for GMO labeling, a majority of the legislature poised to vote in favor of the bill, and an advocacy campaign that raised the level of GMO awareness to levels never seen before in this state, then I'm not sure where or when it will happen.  I am keeping my fingers crossed for CA in the fall.  But, in the meantime we need a plan.

I am calling on all of you to make the decision today that you will no longer support the industry behind GMOs.  The BEST way to do that is to STOP buying GMOs.  If not for the cause, at least stop eating GMOs because you care about your health and the health of your family.  Go to www.nongmoshoppingguide.com and familiarize yourself with how to avoid GMOs.  Watch out for corn, canola, soy, sugar beets, and cotton seed.  Some quick tips on avoiding GMOs include: (1) Avoid processed foods (2) Buy organic, (3) Look for the Non GMO project verified label (4) Avoid vegetable, corn and soy oil (5) Keep a list of all the aliases that GMOs hide under with you when you shop.  We have the power to make a difference with our own actions and by redirecting where we spend our money.  Join Jeffrey Smith's tipping point at http://action.responsibletechnology.org/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=2925.  It only took Europe three months to reach their tipping point from the time the public became aware of the dangers associated with GMOs, it's taking us too long.  The European people were able to kick GMOs out of their food supply and now manufacturers such as Kraft, Nestle, and McDonalds use GMOs in America but NOT in Europe.

Our dedicated legislators: Representatives Susan Johnson, Kim Fawcett, Richard Roy,
Jonathan Steinberg, Fred Camillo, Brenda Kupchick, Tony Hwang, and William Wadsworth

They did not want to give us the right to know so we need to give ourselves that right.  I know it's not easy to avoid GMO's, but dealing with disease, environmental problems and economic downfall are much more difficult.  Right to Know CT will continue our work to pass labeling legislation next year along with our dedicated legislators who are feeling equally as frustrated, but in the meantime, let's work toward total consumer rejection of GMOs.  To listen to June Stoyer's radio show today with myself, Analiese Paik, and Jeffrey Smith go to http://www.theorganicview.com/environment/connecticut-caves-to-biotech-ignores-consumers-right-to-know-about-gmos/.  Thank you all for your ongoing support.  Stay tuned.