Dear Green American,
Genetically engineered (GE) crops are allowed on the market with insufficient oversight — and too much emphasis on what works for corporations like Monsanto instead of what is best for people and planet.
But right now, we have an opportunity to push for better national policies.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in March that it was abandoning its 2008 proposal that would have updated the 1990s era-regulations currently governing GE crops. USDA is starting from scratch and opened up a public comment to begin the process of crafting new regulations for GE crops.
The system is broken: We need to send a clear message that the USDA must fix it!
USDA is the key agency charged with oversight of genetically engineered crops, along with the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. But the process is uncoordinated and full of loopholes and gaps, putting GE seeds on the market and in fields without independent analysis of impacts on farmer livelihoods or the environment.
As it stands now, the USDA is relying largely on companies to test their own crops for safety. Currently, there are no mandated contamination prevention practices, no post-market monitoring of commercialized GE crops, and no protection for those harmed by GE contamination.
Tell the USDA: Close the loopholes and protect the environment, public health, and farmers!
The USDA must weigh the full impact of GE crops! If we want to build a truly sustainable food system, we must reduce the use of GMO crops and pesticides and support farmers using organic, sustainable practices. It’s time for the USDA to start moving us in that direction and assessing the real, on-the-ground impacts of GE crop production systems.
Take action now: Tell the USDA to weigh the full impact of GE crops! We need strong, mandatory regulations that protect farmers, public health, and the environment from the threats of GE crop production systems!
Sign on today, and we’ll deliver your input before the public comment period closes on June 22.
Thanks for everything you do,
Food Campaigns Director
P.S. GMO Inside is a campaign of the nonprofit Green America. Your donation powers our work for a healthy, non-GMO food supply. Thank you for your support.
GMO Inside is a coalition of businesses, organizations and individuals that support a healthy, GMO-free food system. The GMO Inside campaign is led by Green America. To learn more about our work, visit our website or sign up for Green America's green living email newsletter.