The more than 65 farmer-owners of the Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative Vermont Pool, today released the following statement of support for the Farmer Protection Act, a measure which protects all family farmers in the state regardless of their method of farming.
“The Farmer Protection Act establishes strict liability, which states that manufacturers who own the patents on genetically engineered seeds are liable for any economic damages that occur in Vermont as a result of the use of the seeds. It also states that seed contracts in Vermont are subject only to Vermont law and that disputes over seed contracts will be settled in Vermont.
“Current genetically engineered seed contracts force farmers to accept all liability for any problems caused by the patented traits being transferred via pollen blown by the wind or other types of contamination. The Farmer Protection Act shifts this liability back to the biotechnology corporations. If there is no problem, the bill burdens no one. If there is a problem, it protects all Vermont farmers.
“Farmers who use genetically engineered seeds never actually own the seeds. Their seed contracts allow them to use the seeds, but ownership of the patented, genetically-engineered trait is retained by the biotech company. Therefore, these companies should be held liable for any damages that result from their technology, rather than the farmer.
“The Farmer Protection Act protects all farmers, regardless of the methods they choose to use. It will allow the organic dairy industry to continue to grow and thrive in Vermont, without impacting other farmers' choices about how they choose to farm.
“It provides an incentive for the companies to figure out how to contain the gene flow from their patented, genetically-engineered traits and prevent transfer of these traits to wild plant populations or an organic neighbor’s crops.
“Protecting farmers from liability associated with biotechnology products is one step in undoing the systems of discrimination that force farmers to bear the burden of the risk involved in producing food without offering them a fair price for their products. The Farmers Protection Act is about the daily struggle faced by family farmers all over the world --- the struggle for economic justice, when multi-national corporations are vertically and horizontally integrating every aspect of food production, and at the same time, taking away the farmers’ age-old rights of seed saving and forcing farmers to accept all of the risk for the products that the corporations are creating through the use of contracts and patents.
“Good policy makes good neighbors. Let's protect all family farms.”
Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative:
Independent and Farmer-Owned
CROPP (Cooperative Regions of Organic Producer Pools) markets under the Organic Valley Family of Farms label. Organized in 1988, the cooperative represents nearly 775 farmer-owners in 24 states. It owes its success to staying independent and true to its mission: keeping small and mid-sized farmers farming. Regional production is organized to serve local markets, uses local processors, and features packaging that highlights area farmers. The cooperative produces more than 130 organic products, including organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce, juice and meats. They are sold in leading supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives nationwide. For further information, contact Organic Valley at 1-888-444-MILK or visit www.organicvalley.coop. Further information about farming with CROPP Cooperative can be found at www.farmers.coop.
