Time out on GMO's!

Time Out on GMOs!

This project is a grassroots, farmer-led campaign that began in the late 80’s with family farmers fighting the introduction of rBGH. Rural Vermont worked with farmer leaders to enact a labeling law in Vermont that was eventually struck down in court. However, the base was built that eventually led to the Town to Town Campaign on Genetic Engineering and the Time Out on GMOs! campaign.

We have worked with local groups over the past two years to fight for a moratorium on the planting of genetically engineered seeds in Vermont. Our campaign is largely focused on the biotechnology companies’ desire to control the global seed supply, and the threat to family farmers that results from their efforts. When farmers are not allowed to save their seeds because parts within the seeds are patented and owned by multi-national corporations, the farmers become little more than serfs, and our food security is threatened. This attempt by the corporations to control the seed supply is just one more piece of the global effort to consolidate the entire food system. Corporations use horizontal and vertical integration to force family farmers to become factory farmers, who “lease” animals from the company and have no say in how those animals are raised or treated. Further, farmers are forced to assume all of the financial risk, yet they never see the financial rewards—instead the processors and retailers pocket the profits, and farmers are put out of business, while rural and inner-city consumers are forced to eat factory produced foods, instead of fresh, local produce.

We strongly believe that the voices of farmers must be heard in this GMO debate, as they are the stewards of the land and of our food supply. All too often, organizations are willing to compromise in order to claim victory; however, we are committed to standing up for farmers and making sure that a victory for us is a victory for them.

Over the past two years, Rural Vermont has led the GE Free Vermont campaign to the successful enactment of the Farmers’ Right to Know GMO Seed Labeling Act, by focusing on outreach to and work with Vermont’s family farmers. This past winter, we collected over 100 signatures on a conventional dairy farmer statement opposing the planting of GMOs in Vermont and supporting a moratorium. This statement was written by farmers who came to us and asked for help to collect the signatures. That work led to several more farmers taking a very active lead in our campaign, testifying to legislators, participating in press conferences, and leading rallies and other events.

Another part of this campaign is the Farmer Protection Act. The Farmer Protection Act would protect Vermont farmers from liability associated with genetic engineering and from patent infringement lawsuits. Importantly, this legislation contains key provisions, which state that seed contracts must adhere to Vermont laws, and if there is a dispute, it must be heard in Vermont (rather than in the home state of the biotechnology companies).

Protecting farmers from liability associated with biotechnology products is one step in undoing the systems of discrimination that force farmers to bear the burden of the risk involved in producing food without offering them a fair price for their products. For far too long, U.S. federal policy has driven family farmers out of business and forced farmers to consolidate and expand in order to survive. These policies also lead to the loss of a way of life and cultural heritage, as farmers are forced off their land. U.S. food and farm policies should ensure an adequate supply of wholesome food at affordable prices, and it should ensure that the system, which delivers this supply, is sustainable for our long-term well being. However, for several decades, federal policy has not lived up to its obligations. Instead, farmers do not get a fair price for their commodities – in fact, the prices that farmers are getting often fail to cover the costs of production. In addition, economically disadvantaged families in the U.S. do not have access to fresh, wholesome food, and even as consumer food prices go up, the prices the farmers are receiving are going down.