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Ag Bill Makes New Monsanto Products Immune to Courts and Regulatory Review

Here's something else about which Kristi Noem has been silent on the House Agriculture Committee: the "Monsanto rider." Section 733 of the FY 2013 Agriculture Appropriations Bill provides Monsanto and other biotech companies with a stunningly unconstitutional gift.

Suppose a farmer in Monsanto's pocket really wants to plant some genetically engineered seeds. Suppose the U.S. Department of Agriculture has some concerns about crop contamination and is conducting the normal analysis to make sure introducing this product won't harm other farmers or consumers. Suppose the courts have ordered a halt to the sale or planting of those Frankenseeds until the USDA completes its study.

Section 733 says to the eager farmer with the Monsanto contract, "No problem!" Just ask USDA for permission to ignore the court order, and the Secretary of Agriculture will be required to issue a permit to plant. No judicial oversight, no legislatively delegated executive branch oversight, just do whatever the heck you want with seeds whose risks to the food supply and the pocketbook of organic farmers have not been assessed.

A whole bunch of farm, food, and science groups think this reckless usurpation of power and ignorance of duly diligent science is a really bad idea. Rep. Kristi Noem should, too.

8 Comments

  1. joelie hicks 2012.07.09

    All the reps in both MN and SD seem to be on board w/this bill. Including Al Franken.

  2. Charlie Hoffman 2012.07.09

    Any government strong enough to force you to buy a product you do not want is also strong enough to stop you from forcing your neighbor to not grow a product you do not want.

    The general public has become quite insignificant Cory. Is this not the change you were expecting?

  3. mike 2012.07.09

    Cory, Thanks for pointing this out!

    Charlie as a Rep I think very highly of and someone who is friends with KN I hope that you ask her office to not support this part of the bill. Too bad this didn't come out before the Eureka parade. Thanks!

  4. Les 2012.07.10

    Just another nail in the coffin. You really think KN has the where with all to affect change Mike? Nice lady but nice ladies finish last in DC.

    BTW, wasn't it Blackwater who approached Monsanto, willing to clear up any confusion that might exist with folks who don't appreciate Monsanto? For a price of course. I'll bet they still have the firepower to clear intersections as they've shown in Iraq.

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