Representatives Introduce Pollinator Protection Bill

On Tuesday, July 16th, Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) introduced the Saving America?s Pollinators Act of 2013, which aims to reverse steep declines in bee populations. If passed, the bill would result in a temporarily suspension of the use of neonicotinoids until the Environmental Protection Agency reviews the chemicals and makes a new determination about their proper application and safe use. In addition to the suspension, the Saving America?s Pollinators Act would requires the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Interior to monitor the health and status of native bee population. Although this bill is terribly overdue, it is an important first step in a very serious environmental issue. Click here to let your elected officials that you support the Saving America?s Pollinators Act.

Farm Bill Update

Last week, over 240 groups issues a joint statement urging Congressional leaders to pass a full and fair Farm Bill, without delay, and to quickly move to conference the House-passed and Senate-passed versions of the Farm Bill. The House officially sent their version of the bill to the Senate, in order to begin the conference process. However, House Republican leaders are still working toward passing a stand-alone nutrition bill that would likely include even greater cuts to nutrition programs than the Farm Bill that failed to pass the House earlier this summer. House and Senate agriculture leaders need to begin the conference process immediately, since there are less than 18 legislative days until the current farm bill extension expires on September 30th.

New York to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed GMO Labeling Law

New Yorkers, we have the opportunity to have our voices heard on the need for GMO Labeling. Let?s make sure we are heard loud and clear. We have the right to know what is in our food! On Tuesday, July 30^th, at 10am, the New York Assembly?s Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection will have a public hearing to debate the merits of a bill currently before the legislature that would require that manufacturers to list whether their products contain genetically engineered ingredients. The bill, A.3525-A, states that the new law ?provides for the labeling of food or food products that contain a genetically modified material or that are produced with a genetically modified material; defines terms; imposes penalties for false labels and misbranding; sets forth exemptions.? Similar measures have recently passed by the legislatures of Connecticut and Maine, but neither state will move forward with enforcement unless?surrounding states, such as New York, follow suit and enact similar laws. Only those invited to testify will be able to speak, but citizens who wish to have their views included in the written record can submit it to the committee, and the general public is invited to attend the meeting. Click here for more information.