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Bill would nullify local GMO bans
Central Valley lawmaker seeks to prevent
'hodgepodge' of regional regulations.
By Kerry Benefield
© copyright Press Democrat
Sunday, July 3, 2005
[excerpt:]
Environmental groups and local government officials are decrying a Central Valley lawmaker's attempt to nullify existing bans on genetically modified seeds and prevent communities from enacting similar bans in the future.
Bans on genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, currently exist in Mendocino, Marin and Trinity counties. Backers of a similar ban in Sonoma County qualified the issue for the Nov. 8 ballot - a vote that Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, says would be moot if his legislation passes...
...Sen. Wes Chesbro, D-Arcata, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said Florez's bill reaches beyond the debate over genetically engineered crops.
"Regardless of how you feel about the GMO issue, taking away local voters' rights is a very serious threat to democracy," he said...
The
full article is available on the Press Democrat website.
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"Regardless of how you feel about the GMO issue, taking away local voters' rights is a very serious threat to democracy."
- Sen. Wes Chesbro
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