California Food Democracy

"Regardless of how you feel about the GMO issue, taking away local voters' rights is a very serious threat to democracy."
- California Senator Wes Chesbro

Latest News:

4/26/07:  Genetic Engineering Bill Held Over in Assembly Agriculture Committee.

4/10/07:  CA's Genetic Engineering Bill Passes Out of Judiciary Committee.

3/5/07:  One year after California legislators attempted to strip local authority over seeds including those that are genetically modified, Assemblyman Jared Huffman (6th AD) is championing AB 541, the Food and Farm Protection Act.

AB 541 would establish California's only state laws related to genetic engineering (GE) in agriculture and protect California farmers, consumers, and the food supply. The bill will establish liability, create a notification system for genetically modified crops, and ban outdoor food crops engineered to produce drugs. AB 541 has the support of many agricultural, environmental, health, faith and business organizations.

• Check the status of AB 541 (click on "Acivity")
• Read the text of AB 541
• Take Action: AB 541 overview & sample letter
• To learn more, visit the Genetic Engineering Policy Alliance

9/1/06:  Attempt to strip local authority over seeds and plants fails in California legislature. As the 2006 California legislature came to a close, environmental and sustainable agriculture advocates breathed a sigh of relief as a controversial bill intended to strip local communities' rule over seeds and plants was defeated.

Archived news items

Background:

In the 2005-2006 California legislative sessions, an attempt was made to undermine communities' rights to shape their food supply. On Monday June 28, 2005, Senate Bill 1056 was amended to include language that would remove local government authority over any seed regulations, including regulations on genetically engineered (GE) seeds and resulting foods. On August 31, 2006, SB 1056 was officially defeated.

It is likely that another bill with the same intent will be introduced in 2007. Affirming local oversight of our food systems is very important. It allows communities to shape their future by developing regional character and identity while improving rural economies.

These so-called "preemption" bills fly in the face of the California Constitution, which guarantees the right of cities and counties to "make and enforce within its limits all local, police, sanitary and other ordinances and regulations not in conflict with general laws." (Article XI, Section 7)

Who is Opposed?

Numerous organizations, political bodies, and citizens are strongly opposed to attempts at stripping local democratic authority of our foods. Those opposed include the California Certified Organic Farmers, Ecological Farming Association, California Native Plant Society, California League of Cities, CA State Association of Counties, Regional Council of Rural Counties, CA League of Conservation Voters,the Sierra Club, and many others.

• See letter opposing 2006 session bill (SB 1056), signed by more than 60 organizations, elected officials, businesses, and farmers throughout California.
  
  
• The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors resolved to oppose SB 1056 (6/13/06).
  
  
• California State Association of Counties and the League of California Cities oppose SB 1056 (6/2/06).
  
  
• California Native Plant Society opposes SB 1056 (6/30/05).
  
  
• The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors "...opposes... State law that would limit or constrain the effect or function of Measure H, an existing ordinance passed by a large majority of Mendocino County voters." (6/28/05)

Take Action:

1. Sign up to receive email alerts regarding California bills introduced to remove community authority over foods.
   
   
2. Contact your legislators. Let them know you believe communities should retain the right to shape their food systems. Find your elected officials here.
   
   
3. Find out more about preemption legislation being introduced across the nation.