Oregon is on its way to label GMO Frankenfood!

Oregon State Initiative Gains Momentum,
By the Organic Consumers Association
(Update, Oregon was 101,000 signatures, WOW!) Oregon has a history of progressive politics. It is again leading the way on getting legislation on a statewide ballot to require the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods. There is a strong likelihood that a citizens initiative drive in Oregon will be successful in gathering the 67,000 signatures of legally registered voters it needs by the July 5, 2002, deadline. The initiative will then appear on the November 2002 ballot for consumers in Oregon to decide whether on not they want labeling on genetically engineered foods in their state. The group leading the effort is Portland-based Oregon Concerned Citizens For Safe Foods. The management of The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods has put together a web site for these Oregon activists at: http://www.labelgefoods.org Emerald Valley Kitchen of Eugene, Oregon has hired a part-time staff person to coordinate efforts on the initiative drive in the southern part of the state. Other supporting groups and companies are listed on their Friends/Links web page at: http://www.labelgefoods.org/friends.html On Saturday, August 4th, activist Ralph Nader was in Portland, Oregon where he spoke to a audience of over 7,000 people. Earlier in the day, educational workshops were held. Craig Winters, Executive Director of The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods, journeyed from Seattle to Portland to give a presentation on genetically engineered foods at one of the workshops. During the evening presentation, Mr. Nader enthusiastically supported the Oregon labeling initiative. At a special meeting afterwards, Craig Winters spoke with Ralph Nader about both the national and Oregon labeling initiatives. The following Monday, The New York Times included a photograph of the two speaking. (In the background of the photo is Donna Harris, one of the two chief petitioners for the Oregon initiative, and her son, Brandon. Donna and Brandon are wearing t-shirts that say "Give Oregon A Choice - Label Genetically Engineered Foods." They presented a t-shirt to Ralph Nader. Special thanks to Emerald Valley Kitchen for funding the production of 300 t-shirts.) Mr. Nader told Winters that if the Oregon labeling initiative passes, we can expect it will be challenged as a violation of interstate commerce. Nevertheless, Nader said it was important to support and encouraged Oregon citizens to help gather signatures to get it on the ballot. Oregon Concerned Citizens For Safe Food has a goal of getting the needed signatures by January 1, 2002 to allow plenty of time to prepare for the November election effort. If the initiative does get on the ballot, we can expect the pro-biotech supporters to spend millions of dollars in television, radio and print advertising in an effort to defeat it. However, with national polls showing 80%-90%+ of citizens desiring labeling of genetically modified foods, we are confident the bill will pass into law regardless of the propaganda from the opposition. The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods fully supports the Oregon initiative effort and encourages everyone reading this in Oregon to get involved with gathering signatures. Or if you live in another state and have friends in Oregon, make sure you let them know about this initiative campaign. Thanks! Note: Other labeling efforts are taking place in Washington State and Colorado. While The Campaign encourages all state labeling efforts, we are focusing support on Oregon because we feel it has the best opportunity to make it on the ballot of any state in the country.

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Excellent information. Very interesting. Thanks!

Adam.

It was on the November ballot but failed by a very large margin.