During the course of this week, you have probably heard in the news about the “Monsanto Protection Act”. If you still don’t know what it is, here is a brief summary about it and why environmentalists oppose to it.
What is the Monsanto Protection Act?
The Monsanto Act, whose formal name is Section 735 of the “Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013”, is a rider that was anonymously attached to a U.S. budget bill making many lawmakers unaware of its existence. The act includes a provision that, in simple words, strips federal courts from the power to prevent the planting and sale of any agricultural product, even if it is genetically modified (GMO). For example, individual states’ lawmakers would not be able to pass GMO-labeling laws.
A repeal amendment is expected when the farm bill’s debate begins next week.
To help fight the good fight, and repeal the Monsanto Protection Act, you can call the Senate switchboard and ask to be connected with your senator.