THE GREEN REPORT

PLAN TO ATTEND THIS YEARS CONSERVATION LOBBY DAY
  
Volume 12, Issue 2, March 10, 2006    
Missouri Legislature Hits A New Low. Senator Threatens Expert Witnesses.

Senator John Cauthorn threatened an internationally recognized expert on biotechnology.

Due to the potential serious, long-term impacts of genetically engineered crops (GMOs), Sierra Club, with the assistance from the National Sierra Club Genetic Engineering Committee, arranged for Michael Hansen Ph.D., Research Associate with the Consumer Policy Institute, a division of Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports magazine), to travel to Missouri to testify in opposition to SB 1009. We were very honored to have some one of Dr. Hansen’s stature travel to our state to testify. Dr. Hansen has testified in several states as well as internationally on matters dealing with GMO safety and testing.

SB 1009 and companion HB 1842, take away local control by forcing a “NO STRICTER THAN FEDERAL” rule on genetically modified seeds, GMOs. This bill was introduced BY BIG INDUSTRY FOR BIG INDUSTRY to strip away the ability of local and state governments to act in the best interest of their communities.

Genetic engineering or manipulation is not a form of traditional plant and animal breeding. It isn't close and a reputable/creditable genetic scientist will acknowledge the difference. It is a radically different field; we are no longer selecting from an organism's pre-existing genetic material. Genetic manipulation result from genes being inserted by genetic engineering techniques with the intent to artificially create a new organism.

March 8, 2006 during the Missouri Senate Agricultural, Conservation, Parks and Natural Resources Committee hearing on SB1009 Seed Exemption Bill, Senator David Klindt R-12, bill sponsor, set the tone for the hearing with adolescent behavior. He launched into unintelligible remarks about “incompetent County Commissioners sipping contaminated kool-aid.” Then he proceeded with name-calling as he told of the letters they received by a bunch of “WACKO ENVIRONMENTALIST” who must also be drinking the poisonous kool-aid. What Klindt meant by his ramblings and how any of it is relevant to GMOs is difficult to figure out. The only thing more difficult to grasp is that the Senator’s explanation for why this bill is necessary was contingent on his delusion that our state is full of ignorant people that believe in an attack of the killer tomatoes! After comments like these, one can only conclude that his reasoning for stripping away local and state control and enacting a “no stricter than federal” policy rest on his beliefs that Missouri citizens are ignorant, paranoid and on drugs!

Department of Agriculture Director Fred Farrell testified that the bill was necessary to “be the best we can be.” He stated that GMOs were the safest, greatest thing to happen to agriculture. When Senator Bob Mayer, R-25 asked Director Ferrell what authority he had, at this point, to stop the Ventria rice from coming into the state, Director Ferrell seemed confused by the question. He finally concluded that he had no authority by law but the “protocol” was for the Director to give approval. Other proponents for the bill testified that predictable, uniform regulations were necessary and that the US EPA regulations were the gold standard.

Dr. Hansen totally discredited this testimony. As someone who has worked in the field for fifteen years, he showed that review of the agricultural biotechnology was completely inadequate. Dr. Hansen presented documented proof that neither US EPA, the Food and Drug Administration nor the Department of Agriculture conducts any type of testing for safety or possibility of contamination. They receive letters from companies like Monsanto that say they think they are safe. No confirmation or testing is being conducted. Right now, the reviews are based on the honor system of the GMO companies.

Dr. Hansen explained that local control was essential for farmers to protect their markets as none of the agencies even considered the economic impact to farmers markets. He stated that the case of Ventria rice in the boot-heel was the prefect example of how the rice farmers nearly lost their markets because other countries will not buy GMO contaminated rice. Chairmen Dan Clemens cut off Hansen’s testimony due to time constraints. When asked if there were any questions for this witness, Senator John Cauthorn, R-18, said, “Yeah I got a question, where are you from?” Dr. Hansen replied he was with the Consumer Policy Institute based in New York. Cauthorn responded angrily, “You’re an outsider, what do you know about local control?” Dr. Hansen replied that he had testified all over the country on this issue. Cauthorn, cutting him off said, “You come out to my farm and step foot on my property and I’ll show what local control is.” There was a unified gasp in the room. Had a Missouri Senator just threatened a witness? Cauthorn finished with, “Thanks for your interests in our state.”

In my capacity as the Sierra Club lobbyist, I have endured insults from legislators, rude remarks made under their breath and insulting expressions but threatening a witness is going too far! This is the first time I have ever felt embarrassed to be a Missouri citizen. The final witness for the opponents said she might as well throw her testimony in the trash because they obviously were not willing to listen to anyone. She said good information is good information no matter where the person lives. It does not make sense to refuse to listen to advice from an expert simply because he is from out-of-town and then be eager to give control of Missouri’s agriculture over to the Federal Government.

I plan to file an official complaint requesting Senator Cauthorn be removed from the Senate Agriculture Committee.

This is an excellent opportunity to meet with your elected officials to discuss the importance of environmental protection and conservation for Missouri. There are several critical issues and programs working their way through the legislative process. The timing of our Conservation Lobby Day should fall at a time when serious conservation and environmental issues will have critical votes. Please plan to attend and bring a friend.
Conservation Lobby Day
April 4th, 2004 from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm
at Missouri’s State Capitol in House Hearing Room 2
Let your elected officials know about issues of importance to you.

Please RSVP to if you are planning to attend. You will receive an information packet with event details. To register or for more information call the Sierra Club office at 1- 800-628-5333 or email us at ozark.chapter@sierraclub.org You can visit our website to check out the legislative bills we are currently tracking, visit http://missouri.sierraclub.org and select Green Report Track Legislation.