Coastal Post Online
MARIN COUNTY'S NEWS
MONTHLY - FREE PRESS
(415)868-1600 -
(415)868-0502(fax) - P.O. Box 31, Bolinas, CA, 94924
September, 2004
Trinity County Votes to Ban Genetically Engineered Crops
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It was another bad day for Monsanto and the Biotech Bullies and another victory
for the grassroots. Today, August 3, 2004, Trinity County, California became
the second county in the nation to ban the production of genetically engineered
(GE) crops and animals. By a vote of three to one, Trinity County Supervisors
moved to ban GE crops and animals in order to protect Trinity's local economy,
including its growing organic sector, and the environment. Today's decision
comes in the wake of a March 2 ballot victory by voters in another Northern California county, Mendocino, banning GE crops.
In November four more of California's 59 counties (Marin, Butte, Humboldt, and San Luis Obispo) will be voting on ballot measures to ban genetically
engineered organisms (GMOs). Monsanto, the Farm Bureau, and the Bayer
corporation have vowed to crush this growing "Biodemocracy" movement,
but public opposition to gene-altered crops has put the industry on the defensive.
On May 10, Monsanto was forced to cancel plans to commercialize GE wheat, while
other GMOs in the pipeline--including trees, fish, and biopharmaceutical crops,
are facing increasing opposition, not only in the US, but across the world.
Trinity's GE Ban has been supported by a broad cross-section of
county residents, including organic consumers, farmers, businesses, home
gardeners, nurseries, social workers, students, church people, teachers,
environmentalists, government employees, and investment, computer, and health
professionals,
"Today's vote follows 25 years of tradition in Trinity County, regarding the passage of common-sense ordinances that protect the well
being of local citizens," said Susan Bower, local farmer and ban
proponent.