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Ten Ways to Respond to GE Alfalfa and Sugar Beets
1. Call the White House at (202) 456-1111 with this message: “President Obama, please reverse USDA’s decision to deregulate genetically engineered alfalfa and sugar beets. USDA continues to put the biotech industry's interests before those of the organic and non-GMO community. Please also stand by your campaign promise to support mandatory labeling of genetically modified organisms in our food.” Keep getting a busy signal? Email the president at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact.
2. Distribute the “Seven Steps to Fair Farming” platform on GMO contamination prevention to your members in Congress and other decision makers. Download at www.nationalorganiccoalition.org. Schedule a meeting with congressional staff members in your state. The message is clear: prior to any deregulation of a GE crop, the following seven points must be addressed transparently and fairly. Distribute this document at upcoming food and farm conferences, farmers markets and other events.
3. Write a letter to the editor or op-ed for your local paper and farm and ranch publications about the risks GE alfalfa and sugar beets pose to seed integrity, choice in the seed and food marketplace, and the success of organic farming.
4. Push for mandatory labeling of GMO food ingredients. When calling the President or your member of Congress, and when writing a letter to the editor, call on Congress to take this important step toward true choice and transparency in store grocery aisles.
5. Continue to vote with your food dollar. Support farmers and food companies committed to sourcing organic and non-GE ingredients. Write food companies and tell them you do not want to buy products derived from GE alfalfa and sugar beets – including meat and dairy products, honey, and products containing sugar. Here’s a list that will help you avoid GMOs: http://truefoodnow.org/shoppers-guide/.
6. Support organizations working to protect organic integrity, including seed systems that GE seed technologies threaten and the organic label eaters rely on, including Center for Food Safety, Organic Seed Alliance, and the National Organic Coalition.
7. Are you an organic farmer or gardener? Talk to seed companies, your state agriculture department or commissioner, and neighbors about the risks GE seed technologies pose to your farm and products. Get involved and share your story with organizations working to protect organic integrity.
8. Purchase organic seed. Supporting organic seed systems ensures the ongoing growth and success of organic agriculture. Some of these companies are listed here: www.seedalliance.org/Related_Resources.
9. Are you a member of a food and farm organization? Ask your local and state organizations to stand up for organic farming and make public statements denouncing the GE alfalfa and sugar beet decisions.
10. Stay engaged. Join social networks online, like Organic Seed Alliance’s Facebook page and newsletter, and bookmark our blog, Seed Broadcast, for regular updates on these issues, including timely opportunities to take action. Visit www.seedalliance.org to learn more.
Read OSA's GE alfalfa and sugar beet talking points.
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