SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE PASSES FARMER PROTECTION ACT

Jauary 26, 2005

Biotech Circus Act No Match for Vermont's Family Farmers!

MONTPELIER, VT--The Farmer Protection Act (s.18) passed out of the Senate Agriculture Committee this morning on a voice vote. The committee expressed its intention to move the bill to the Judiciary Committee, as the bill deals with liability, contract, and patent infringement issues that face Vermont's family farmers because of the presence of genetically engineered crops in the state.

"The problem is that these genetically engineered seed contracts force the farmer to assume all liability for a product that is impossible to control," explained Amy Shollenberger, Policy Director at Rural Vermont, "and the solution is the Farmer Protection Act, which places that liability squarely on the shoulders of the manufacturers of the seeds. If the product is indeed safe, then the companies should be proud to stand behind it. If it is not, then farmers should not have to bear the burden and pay the price for the damages."

In his testimony, Ed Miller, lobbyist for Monsanto, explained that strict liability was originally developed because of circus animals escaping and harming people. He noted that the intent was to hold the animals' keepers harmless if they had done their best to contain the animals. Miller said that seed companies should not have to assume the liability for their seeds.

"The strongest argument coming out of the biotech industry is that organic farmers must be responsible for protecting themselves," commented Ben Davis, Environmental Advocate at Vermont Public Interest Research Group. " Why should farmers have to bear the burden when it is impossible to contain the contamination?"

The bill is expected to move to the Senate Judiciary Committee next week, and a companion bill will likely be introduced in the House next week as well. House Speaker Gaye Symington commented, "I encourage the House Agriculture Committee to seriously consider the Farmer Protection Act. I am committed to allowing all sides to be heard, and to doing all that we can to support a diverse agricultural economy in Vermont."
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CONTACT: Amy Shollenberger, Policy Director, Rural Vermont 802-793-1114