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Last Chance to Support AB 541!
A landmark piece of legislation protecting California's farmers from crippling lawsuits was passed by the State Assembly on August 29, 2008.
The bill, AB 541 (Huffman, D-Marin/Sonoma), has passed both houses of the Legislature with strong bipartisan support and is now awaiting the Governor's signature. The bill is sponsored by diverse organizations, some of whom are traditionally opposed on farm issues. It is the first bill passed by the California legislature that brings much-needed regulation to genetically engineered (GE) crops.
For more information, see the web site for Californians for GE-Free Agriculture. www.calgefree.org/
Take Action:
Urge Governor Schwarzenegger to Sign AB541 Into Law
Feel free to use the sample letter below to send to Governor Schwarzenegger
1. Select all text here, then copy and paste into a Word document.
2. Remove all text except the sample letter.
3. Personalize with your own message, and sign your name. Put it on letterhead if you have it.
4. For maximal impact, send it by mail (address on sample letter below), fax (916-558-3160), or make a phone call (916-445-2841). If you only have time to email, use the Governor's online email form.
Sample Letter
[Date]
The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: AB 541 (Huffman): REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:
I am writing in support of AB 541. [Describe your organization, company, or farm here if applicable].
Currently, California has no laws in place to address the issue of genetic engineering (GE), yet citizens across the state have expressed concerns about the risks the technology presents for farmers, consumers, the economy and the environment.
AB 541 is a good first step towards addressing the many issues related to genetic contamination caused by GE crops and seeds. This bill will enact protections for California farmers against frivolous lawsuits that intimidate and harass those who have not been able to prevent the inevitable drift of GE pollen or seeds. It will level the playing field for farmers by discouraging the practice of Monsanto and other biotech corporations of sampling crops without explicit permission farmers and prosecuting based on unverifiable test results.
AB 541 has no opposition and enjoyed broad bipartisan support in both houses of the Legislature. The bill is supported by diverse organizations, some of which are traditionally opposed on the GE issue.
Given the fact that GE crops continue to be developed for dozens of California specialty crops, it is prudent that California lawmakers get out in front of potential problems to assure that the rights of our farmers are protected. AB 541 will put California in the forefront of efforts in various states to protect farmers from the unintended presence of GE material in their crops.
Please sign AB 541 into law. It represents an important first step on establishing statewide legislation regarding genetically engineered crops. Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.
Sincerely,
[Name, title, affiliation]
A landmark piece of legislation protecting California's farmers from crippling lawsuits was passed by the State Assembly on August 29, 2008.
The bill, AB 541 (Huffman, D-Marin/Sonoma), has passed both houses of the Legislature with strong bipartisan support and is now awaiting the Governor's signature. The bill is sponsored by diverse organizations, some of whom are traditionally opposed on farm issues. It is the first bill passed by the California legislature that brings much-needed regulation to genetically engineered (GE) crops.
For more information, see the web site for Californians for GE-Free Agriculture. www.calgefree.org/
Take Action:
Urge Governor Schwarzenegger to Sign AB541 Into Law
Feel free to use the sample letter below to send to Governor Schwarzenegger
1. Select all text here, then copy and paste into a Word document.
2. Remove all text except the sample letter.
3. Personalize with your own message, and sign your name. Put it on letterhead if you have it.
4. For maximal impact, send it by mail (address on sample letter below), fax (916-558-3160), or make a phone call (916-445-2841). If you only have time to email, use the Governor's online email form.
Sample Letter
[Date]
The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: AB 541 (Huffman): REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:
I am writing in support of AB 541. [Describe your organization, company, or farm here if applicable].
Currently, California has no laws in place to address the issue of genetic engineering (GE), yet citizens across the state have expressed concerns about the risks the technology presents for farmers, consumers, the economy and the environment.
AB 541 is a good first step towards addressing the many issues related to genetic contamination caused by GE crops and seeds. This bill will enact protections for California farmers against frivolous lawsuits that intimidate and harass those who have not been able to prevent the inevitable drift of GE pollen or seeds. It will level the playing field for farmers by discouraging the practice of Monsanto and other biotech corporations of sampling crops without explicit permission farmers and prosecuting based on unverifiable test results.
AB 541 has no opposition and enjoyed broad bipartisan support in both houses of the Legislature. The bill is supported by diverse organizations, some of which are traditionally opposed on the GE issue.
Given the fact that GE crops continue to be developed for dozens of California specialty crops, it is prudent that California lawmakers get out in front of potential problems to assure that the rights of our farmers are protected. AB 541 will put California in the forefront of efforts in various states to protect farmers from the unintended presence of GE material in their crops.
Please sign AB 541 into law. It represents an important first step on establishing statewide legislation regarding genetically engineered crops. Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.
Sincerely,
[Name, title, affiliation]
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