In case you haven't heard: a couple months ago the Senate and President signed off on a little piece of legislation entitled the Farmer's Assurance Provision, section 735 of the Continuing Resolution Act--the bill that was signed into law to keep the government from defaulting on its bills.
Known to the general population as the 'Monsanto Protection Act,' the rider basically encouraged the USDA to supersede the courts in terms of allowing the planting of GMO crops. Democracy in action, huh?
One member of the Senate has finally stepped up to the plate in an attempt to repeal the highly despised rider Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon).
See Also:
- Obama Signs Monsanto Protection Act
- Frankenfish Rejected From National Retailers: Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and More
The much-criticized "Monsanto Protection" rider originally made its way through the Senate without much notice. Out of the 100 members of the Senate, only four spoke out against the rider: Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Senator Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).
Public outrage has escalated since the passage of the bill, spurring a worldwide protest, the March Against Monsanto, which is scheduled to take place next Saturday, May 25 in over 250 cities across the world, including here in South Florida.
Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon--of course--is planning to attempt a repeal of the reviled 'Monsanto Protection Act' in the upcoming Farm Bill.
The House and the Senate Ag Committees recently passed their own versions of the bill that controls US agriculture policy and the Federal Nutrition Program--i.e. food stamps.
The bill, which is supposed to be addressed every five years, was unable to pass in last year's legislative session due to partisan bickering. Shocking.
Not surprisingly, both bills are very friendly toward corporate agriculture companies.
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