Shortly after the commercial introduction of genetically engineered
(GE) crops in 1996, farmers in the United States began to raise
concerns about the impacts of biotechnology in agriculture. To
promote the introduction of GE crops, The biotechnology industry
spent $500 million to promote the introduction of GE crops, bombarding
with advertisements touting the advantages of genetic engineering
– lower costs of production, higher yields, greater convenience
and reduced pesticide use. Evidence quickly mounted that the reality
did not match the representations and farmers began to question
the agronomic and economic value of genetic engineering in agriculture
and its impact on the environment, food safety and the future
of family farming.
Based on a desire for balanced and truthful information, the
National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC) together with several other
farm groups jointly organized and coordinated the Family Farmer
Summit on Genetic Engineering in Agriculture in 1999. The Summit
was held in conjunction with the Farm Aid concert and brought
farmers together with GE researchers and experts and led to the
development of the Farmers Declaration on Genetic Engineering
in Agriculture, which was publicly released just prior to the
WTO ministerial in Seattle. The Declaration was adopted as a statement
of principles for the 34 farm groups that now comprise the Farmer
to Farmer Campaign on Genetic Engineering whose purpose is to
provide a national voice for farmers on agricultural biotechnology
issues.
The commercialization of GE crops poses significant problems
to farmers and rural economies.
> Import restrictions/prohibitions on GE crops and products
in 37 countries have resulted in a significant loss of foreign
markets and farmer income,
> Exposure to expensive lawsuits for unauthorized use of “intellectual
property” and patent infringement,
> Diminished profitability resulting from higher costs of production
and/or lower yields in GE varieties, and
> Development of “superweeds” and weed resistance
in GE crops requiring the use of additional pest management practices
that are costly and time consuming.
Global resistance to GE crops and products has led the biotechnology
industry and pandering U.S. politicians to use vast resources,
legal muscle and market power to pressure countries to eliminate
GE market restrictions through the adoption of international trade
agreements.
The Farmer to Farmer Campaign counters biotechnology industry
and government efforts to further promote GE by:
> Publishing educational materials on agricultural biotechnology
issues,
> Conducting public education conferences/workshops and farmer
leader trainings on agricultural biotechnology, international
trade and farm policy issues,
> Facilitating the development of state and regional farmer-driven,
GE campaigns,
> Building capacity in grassroots farm groups organizing on
GE issues by providing fundraising, policy development and media
relations assistance,
> Working with legal experts to develop GE litigation strategies,
> Assisting in the development of federal agricultural biotechnology
policy, and
> Publicizing GE issues.
For more information on the Farmer to Farmer Campaign on Genetic
Engineering in the United States, contact Bill Wenzel by calling
toll-free at (877) 968-3276. Individuals or groups outside the
United States can reach the Campaign via email at nffc@nffc.net.
• GE Alfalfa
• GE Wheat
• Labeling
• Litigation
• Liability
• Monsanto
• Weed Resistance
• Anti-Trust: Farmers Face Ripoff Seeds
• Food Safety
• Access to Seeds
