Congress Passes Controversial ‘Monsanto Protection Act’

Farm Appropriations Bill Includes a Provision that Protects GMO Companies from Litigation

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a last-minute amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations Bill (HR933) – a provision that would protect genetically modified seeds (GMOs) from litigation over health risks. It is known as the Senate’s continuing resolution bill, which provides short-term funding to the federal government until the end of the fiscal year. The vote was 318 to 109 in favour of passing the Bill.

Opponents have dubbed it the “Monsanto Protection Act,” since the biotech rider would strip the federal courts authority to stop GMO seed crops from being grown – even if there is consumer health concerns.

The bill has a six-month expiration life and it remains unknown if this provision will be short-lived or if it will be extended.

Opponents to the bill, led by the group Food Democracy Now, have launched a campaign calling on President Barack Obama to veto the Continuing Resolution spending bill, but their request will not likely succeed, since the bill does include a significant amount of government funding.

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Comments

there is no proof of any enhancement of the yield producted by GMO or Not... But there's some that demonstrates the lack of significatives difference between these two technologies.... So if there's no difference between gmo and non gmo why choose the one that will make only one compagny richier? Choose your local dealer and your local varieties to encourage your locality.

Posted by no proof on 4/2/2013 1:05:47 PM

Wow, I am really saddened by this news. It is not just about GMO (big enough deal) it is about how certain people/corporations can bypass the whole of the judiciary and Government of the USA. THEN be protected by them. The stunning silence from the international and US news sites is deafening. I am seriously worried for any small piece of democracy left. Obama/Bush ... all the same. They are puppets for a very ugly unfeeling corporate world.

Posted by Good Lord on 3/30/2013 4:25:06 PM

I think most anti gmo people are more worried about contaminating the gene pool. There's no going back if the worst case happens. Also a monopoly on food is worrying. We want clear labelling on products so we can choose for ourselves. As far as feeding more and more people, there's too many humans anyway. I favour birth control over gmos. Hope that doesn't offend. Peace

Posted by Blue Collar Ed on 3/30/2013 8:13:50 AM

How long do you anti GMO people have to keep complaining when science based information shows that crops with these traits are equivalent to non GMO crops and provide a huge benefit to the world by producing greater yields at lower costs. Get a grip zealots. I saw recently where Mark Lynas has changed his mind on GMOs and how important they are in helping feed a growing world.

Posted by Farmer Ron on 3/29/2013 10:40:17 PM

Well, Obama did something right!! In spite of all the rhetoric from other commenters, GMO's have not caused ANY health concerns and are good nutritionally and are good for the environment due the reduction of the need for herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers.

Posted by George Helder on 3/29/2013 7:32:51 PM

I am totally disillusioned with both parties. All have failed us. I want the names of all who passed the bill and who voted for it. They should NOT be re-elected. Their children should have to eat that food and them as well, and have no better health care than I. The rich have drowned out the voices of everyone else. Why aren't Americans rioting?

Posted by leslie aguillard on 3/29/2013 6:27:10 PM

The Government and the elected officials are not listening! Our only recourse is to educate the end consumer. They are not aware that these GMO foods have huge health implications. Lab rats have had vital organs enlarged with GMO foods. The average consumer is not aware...But no more...Education is the key to overcoming this issue. Not waiting for the Government to do something...To many deep pockets...My only question I have to the Monsanto executives is what do you feed your family? I would venture to say it is not your Genetically Engineered foods!

Posted by Sheryl on 3/29/2013 2:06:53 AM

Just another example of our corrupt politicians taking their payments and slipping bad legislation changes in at the last minute!

Posted by Ron Williquette on 3/28/2013 11:42:43 AM

The reason people buy it is that we don't know what's GMO and what's not. Most stocks are controlled by stock-brokers not the person who actually owns the stocks. The brokers have no moral qualms for or against the companies they are buying and selling from, they just do what will get them money. (I helped to Manage my grandfather's portfolio) As to why farmers will buy GMO seeds? Many of them do not have a choice. Often times companies will approach farmers who are low on funding or down on their luck and offer them a deal. A contract to grow their seeds for X many years and the company, instead of charging said farmer for the seed, will either get a cut of the profits from the sale or the seeds are offered at an extreme discount for the length of the contract, or something similar. Once the farmer is sealed into the contract, if he breaches it, he will likely loose his land, which means his livelihood, if he breaches contract. Breaching a contract with a multi-billion dollar company means that company can, and will, sue you for /everything/ you own, from your land and home to the machinery you work with to the clothes on your back. Faced with something like that, most people will wait the contract out, and then stand on their morals. Morals don't put money in the bank, or feed your hungry children, and they certainly don't pay the mortgage. Often times the choice is between growing a crop you have moral problems with or paying the bills and feeding your family.

Posted by Kasey on 3/28/2013 10:59:57 AM

Why does anyone buy their shit? Just stop buying it, pull all stocks, pull all funding, boycott and burn there offices to the ground. I don't understand why the people don't just get rid of them.

Posted by annanamus on 3/28/2013 9:31:24 AM

Regardless,it doesn't mean it's not true.Monsanto has been down this road before and have learned to be proactive when they anticipate problems. They learned one lesson here http://tinyurl.com/c9af8vs . Why the need unless they already have worries.

Posted by Mary on 3/27/2013 2:27:20 PM

Sadly funny that this page is provided to us by the advertisements of Syngenta, a Swiss-based Monsanto competitor, that is just as much about GMOs as Monsanto is!

Posted by Brian Forbes Colgate on 3/27/2013 2:15:49 PM

how is it fair that corporations use tax loop holes to pay less tax use the best lawyers to avoid litigation and now are allowed to potentially poison people while remaining innocent.....wow amerikkka is fawked

Posted by d on 3/27/2013 1:22:54 PM

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