For nearly two decades, Monsanto and the Biotech Bullies have bullied
their way to taking over the U.S. agriculture system with one aim in
mind: sell more toxic chemicals. Apart from a small minority, consumers
were largely unaware that untested genetically engineered organisms were
infiltrating our food system. Unlabeled.
Now that the majority of Americans know the truth, and are
fighting back, the Biotech Bullies are being forced to escalate. Things
could get a lot uglier, before they get better.
Last week, a judge affirmed the constitutionality of Vermont’s GMO
labeling law by denying Monsanto’s demand to hold up enactment of the
law until the industry’s frivolous lawsuit makes its way through the
courts.
Monsanto promptly turned around and filed an appeal. It’s a stalling
tactic. But much more—because the bullies know that their threats
against Vermont aren’t going unnoticed by lawmakers in other states—like
Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and others—who fear their states
will be dragged through the courts, too, if they stand up to Monsanto as
Vermont lawmakers have.
It’s intimidation at its best.
Meanwhile, in Washington D.C., the bullies are scrambling to get a
law passed that will strip states of their constitutional rights to pass
GMO labeling laws. It’s the worst kind of attack on democracy. And the
irony is that some Democrats, who claim to support consumer rights, are
now signing on to Pompeo's bill. While so many Republicans—whose
constituents have made it clear that they want mandatory labeling
laws—are not only thumbing their noses at voters, they’re thumbing their
noses at democracy. Not to mention the states’ rights they claim to
hold so dear.
While we keep a watchful eye on the Vermont court case, GMO labeling
bills that are making their way through state legislatures (opposed by
out-of-state multi-billion dollar lobbying groups), and the outrageous
(and desperate) play in Washington D.C. to end the GMO labeling
conversation permanently, we keep working. On all fronts.
from here
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