San Juan County, Washington, USA now GMO-free

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San Juan County, Washington, USA now GMO-free

By Anne Sewell (http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336431)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JamdHf48w-M


Local voters in San Juan county voted yes for Initiative Measure 2012-4 by a wide margin in the November 6 election. This essentially puts a ban on genetically modified organisms in the county.

The declaration made on the Initiative Measure read as follows: "The people of San Juan County, desiring to protect our agricultural industry, our natural environment, the private property rights of our citizens, and the health, safety and welfare of our People, deem it advisable and appropriate to restrict the cultivation of genetically modified crops, livestock and other organisms in San Juan County."

With 8,877 votes counted, "Yes" votes outnumbered "No" votes by 5,183 to 3,329, for Initiative Measure 2012-4.
GMO-ban supporter, Marta Nielsen of Orcas Island is an organic farmer who raises chickens. She announced, "I'm proud to live in a county that could see the immense benefit of passing this forward-thinking initiative."

The GMO ban was proposed by organic farmers and other interested parties in the county. The ban makes it unlawful to propagate or grow plants or animals in San Juan County, Washington, that have been genetically modified. It further provides for penalties and the destruction of such organisms.
A recent opinion piece on GMO's by Ken & Kathryn Akopiantz, primary sponsors of the initiative can be read here.

The video above features Ken Akopiantz, a farmer and owner of Horse Drawn Farm and the Seed Librarian of Lopez Community Land Trust. He speaks on the dangers of genetic engineering (GE) and genetically modified organism (GMO) and explains why it is important to support the Initiative Measure No. 2012-4 to ban raising GMOs in the San Juan county. This speech was delivered during the Food Charrette on Lopez Island, Feb 25, 2012.

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Washington County Bans Growing of GMOs

Anthony Gucciardi (http://www.infowars.com/washington-county-bans-growing-of-gmos/)
Infowars.com
Nov 12, 2012

While some anti-GMO legislation like Prop 37 was shot down through corporation-funded projects and deceptive campaign tactics, one county in Washington state was massively successful in establishing a landmark ruling against Monsanto and GMO crops as a whole.

The concerned citizens of San Juan County were able to pass what is known as Initiative Measure No. 2012-4 (http://vote.wa.gov/results/current/sanjuan/), which actually bans the growth of genetically modified organisms within the county.

And it doesn’t just affect traditional GMO crops.

According to the writing within the legislation, the Initiative actually protects against the growth and cultivation of any genetically modified organism — even animals which have been genetically modified. This specific wording is key when considering that the act of genetic modification is no longer specific to crops. While it is true that crops have been the major focus of GMO cultivation, with upwards of 90 plus percent of corn now reportedly being altered, new disturbing and outlandish biotech projects that twist the genetic coding of more advanced life are becoming much more frequent.

A recent example of such an ‘experiment’ involves the creation of genetically modified cows that actually produce human breast milk (http://naturalsociety.com/genetically-modified-cows-to-create-human-breast-milk/). Milk that is intended to feed human infants within the next 10 years or so if certain biotechnology proponents get their way.

I explain in a recent interview with Russia Today how Monsanto attempts to squash any anti-GMO legislation through deep political ties and financial power:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZojWSnw_u_Q


While the Initiative allows for ‘controlled’ use of GMOs by researchers and health care providers only in small and secured environments, it is a landmark in the fight against GMOs on a legislative level. While this Initiative may currently only affect San Juan County, similar Initiatives and propositions may spring up elsewhere in other states and counties. With over 90% of the public in favor of labeling GMOs, it should be no surprise that individuals are actively seeking answers on a political level.

It also shows that Monsanto and fellow mega corporations cannot wipe out each new piece of legislation that seeks to threaten profits in favor of consumer health. While the mega corps were successful in taking down Prop 37 through spending over $45 million (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michele-simon/prop-37-defeated_b_2087782.html) in deceptive advertising, illegally using the FDA seal and fabricating (http://naturalsociety.com/monsanto-funded-anti-gmo-labeling-fda-logo-quote/) a quote, and even posing as voter groups to trick voters into voting against the proposition, they simply cannot stomp out labeling or bans in every county or state nationwide.

As more and more people begin to realize the reality of GMO and how they can devastate both health and the environment, Monsanto will have a lot more to deal with than just a few pieces of legislation.

Additional sources:

Digital Journal (http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336431)

This post originally appeared at Natural Society (http://naturalsociety.com/washington-county-bans-growing-of-gmos/)

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California hoodwinked by big business, Prop 37 fails - Here's how to continue the battle for safe food

Monday, November 12, 2012 by: Carolanne Wright (http://www.naturalnews.com/037928_California_Prop_37_safe_food.html)

Big money wins yet again -- this time defeating Prop. 37 in California. Monsanto, DuPont and others contributed $45 million to keep the American public in the dark about genetically modified organisms. Even though the failure of this ballot measure is a blow to those who value safe food, the battle continues on a grassroots level. Taking the initiative and protecting yourself from GM food remains a significant issue for health and well-being. With awareness and perseverance, GMOs can be defeated once and for all through informed choices.

The dangers of mystery food

Mega biotech corporations like Monsanto depend on an uninformed population to keep the GMO industry humming. After all, if people are ignorant they are easier to control, poison and rob. The problem is that genetically modified organisms are outrageously dangerous to health, the environment and even the economy. A thousand farmers in India commit suicide each month due to the failure of GM crops and the crushing debt that follows. Intestinal disease, autism and cancer are all linked with the consumption of genetically modified food. Monarch butterflies die from contact with GM corn pollen. But this is just business as usual for Monsanto. As long as there is a profit to be made, who cares about people or the environment?

Hit Monsanto where it hurts - The pocketbook

The phrase "Vote With Your Dollar" is relevant now more than ever. If demand disappears, so does the product. If Americans refuse to buy food containing GMOs, profits dry up for Monsanto. We need to be savvy about our purchases and help others make informed choices as well. GMOs are lurking everywhere, vigilance is required.

Fortunately, organizations like the Non-GMO Project have made it easy to identify and support companies that provide safe food which is free of genetically modified organisms. Or try a smartphone application that not only spots GM food on the shelf, but also provides contact information -- making it simple to tell the company you will no longer purchase their GMO (http://www.naturalnews.com/GMO.html) infested product. This is a crucial point: financially undermining companies who use GM ingredients and informing them of the boycott.

Five ways to protect yourself from GMOs

Until genetically modified organisms are outlawed, it is vital to protect ourselves. Here are a few ideas:

- Buy organic, always. If finances are tight, make sure to avoid the following conventional crops which are typically genetically modified: corn, soy, canola, cottonseed oil, sugar, papaya, zucchini and yellow squash.

- Eat at home more often. Restaurants are notorious for GMOs. Examples include food cooked in oil made from genetically modified corn, soy and canola. Or GM corn chips at a Mexican eatery. Conventional meat and dairy from animals that consume genetically modified corn and alfalfa is also standard when we eat out.

- Be suspicious of any kind of packaged food, whether 'natural' or not. It's estimated that 80 percent of all convenience food contains genetically modified organisms.

- Use vitamins certified by the Non-GMO Project. Magnesium stearate, a common additive in supplements, is derived from GM corn and soy.

- Put that smartphone to work. Try a mobile application like True Food Shoppers Guide to really see what is in the food you are about to buy. It allows the user to search by food type, category or brand.

The fight is far from over for safe food. With these tips in hand, not only can we protect our health and environment, but also actively weaken the GMO industry and ultimately achieve victory.

Sources for this article include:

www.nongmoproject.com

"What's Really In Your Food?" Prevention. Retrieved on November 6, 2012 from: http://www.prevention.com/food/smart-shopping/5-food-apps-smartphones

"Avoiding GMOs in Your Daily Life" Anthony Gucciardi, Nation of Change, August 23, 2012. Retrieved on November 6, 2012 from: http://www.nationofchange.org/avoiding-gmos-your-daily-life-1345735195

"5 ways to protect your family from GMOs" Kimi Harris, Mother Nature Network, October 10, 2011. Retrieved on November 6, 2012 from: http://www.mnn.com

"Must Have Mobile App: Be GMO in The Know" Shilo Urban, Organic Authority. Retrieved on November 6, 2012 from: http://www.organicauthority.com

"The GM genocide: Thousands of Indian farmers are committing suicide after using genetically modified crops" Andrew Malone, Mail Online, November 2008. Retrieved on November 6, 2012 from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

About the author:
Carolanne enthusiastically believes if we want to see change in the world, we need to be the change. As a nutritionist, natural foods chef and wellness coach, Carolanne has encouraged others to embrace a healthy lifestyle of organic living, gratefulness and joyful orientation for over 13 years. Through her website www.Thrive-Living.net she looks forward to connecting with other like-minded people from around the world who share a similar vision.

Follow on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/Thrive_Living

Read her other articles on Natural News here:

http://www.naturalnews.com/Author1183.html