From www.thecampaign.org July 10, 2002 News Update From The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Health Freedom Fighters, Great news! The Initiative effort in Oregon to vote on labeling genetically engineered foods appears to have gathered enough signatures to get on the ballot in November. The Initiative needed 67,000 signatures from registered voters. Over 101,000 signatures were turned in last Friday. So even allowing for a substantial amount of invalid signatures from people who are not registered voters, the Initiative should have well over the 67,000 valid signatures required to get on the ballot. The opposition wasted no time in launching their attack on the labeling Initiative. The Oregonian newspaper stated, "The Coalition Against the Costly Label Law announced its effort to defeat the proposal to require labeling of genetically engineered food. The coalition includes the Oregon Farm Bureau Federation, the Oregon State Grange, Oregon Grocery Industry Association, Oregon Restaurant Association, Grocery Manufacturers of America and other organizations." This is going to be a classic David and Goliath fight in Oregon. The opposition is likely to spend millions of dollars in an effort to defeat the labeling Initiative. But, just as David beat the powerful Goliath, activists in Oregon intend to pass the labeling Initiative despite the financial resources and influence of the opposition. Polls consistently show that the vast majority of consumers want labeling on genetically engineered foods and now they will have an opportunity to vote for that right in Oregon. The State of Oregon has until August 4 to make the official announcement that the Initiative met the required amount of signatures from registered voters to get on the ballot. Posted below is an excellent report by Jeff Peckman that provides further details. Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to get this Initiative on the ballot in Oregon! Craig Winters Executive Director The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods The Campaign PO Box 55699 Seattle, WA 98155 Tel: 425-771-4049 Fax: 603-825-5841 E-mail: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web Site: http://www.thecampaign.org Mission Statement: "To create a national grassroots consumer campaign for the purpose of lobbying Congress and the President to pass legislation that will require the labeling of genetically engineered foods in the United States." *************************************************************** Oregon GE Food Labeling Proponents Make History History was made on July 5 when Oregon GE activists submitted 101,256 signatures to the Secretary of State's office to put a GE food labeling initiative on the ballot for voters. They are the first to achieve this feat. Donna Harris and a core group of organizers and petitioners came from cities throughout Oregon. Mel Bankoff, owner of Emerald Valley Kitchen, was not only the major financial contributor but also collected signatures with his wife many times through out the campaign. Children Led Procession "It was a beautiful day," remarked Donna Harris, one of the chief proponents, who continued, "Everything flowed beautifully. The speakers were great, and it was wonderful to have the children there. The highlight of the event was actually walking with the children to turn in the signatures. The procession was led by Michelle Bankoff who, I believe, is three years old. She pushed a little red wheelbarrow with about a thousand signatures in it, followed by my niece Katie Pyland who pulled about 50,000 signatures in one wagon, and then Marlie Bankoff who pulled the wagon with the other 50,000 signatures in it. And my other nephew, Jimmie helped push the wagon. The kids led us into the Secretary of State's office to the cheers of the crowd. It was a beautiful moment!" Strong media presence Media representatives came from two television stations - Channel 2 and Channel 8, OPB Radio, which did an extensive interview, and newspapers, which included The Oregonian, Statesman Journal, Portland Tribune, and Associated Press news service. The Eugene Register Guard also did a story. Opposition comes out early Forces opposed to the labeling initiative also showed up at the signature "turn-in" to announce their campaign to defeat it. Considering that the initiative is not yet certified for the ballot, their unusual move indicates the high stakes ahead. Grocery Manufacturers of America, the biggest food industry lobbying organization opposing the initiative, has a reputation for threatening to stop doing business in states which contemplate mandatory labeling of GE food. Oregon voters could be the first to put that threat to the test after many state legislators have caved into it. Will food trade stop for Oregon? Opponents claim that mandatory labeling will disrupt Oregon food trade. Kate Lord, another proponent of the labeling initiative countered that claim in a June 25 Statesman Journal article. She pointed out that "Oregon's independent streak has faced down such threats before. For example, Coca Cola never made good on a threat not to sell its products in the state when the Oregon Bottle Bill became law in 1971, requiring bottles be returnable and have a minimum refund value". In a July 6 Statesman Journal article, initiative supporter Dawn Balzano added that, "Kraft has a division in Europe that labels genetically engineered foods, the same products that are made for consumers in North America". What's next? The Oregon Secretary of State has until August 4 to verify if at least 66,786 of the signatures are valid. If they are, then voter education starts for the November 2002 election and the fun begins! Jeff Peckman www.bigg-alliance.org
