Monsanto Executives' Nightmare
Movement to ban genetically engineered crops in California grows.
By Mike Lee
First published by the Sacramento Bee, July 15, 2004
Efforts to ban biotech crops that began last year as a brew pub brainstorm in Ukiah are maturing into a statewide political force.
Four November ballot initiatives will attempt to mimic the landmark Measure H in Mendocino County as anti-biotech activists push for prohibitions on genetically engineered crops.
While the campaign still has a shoestring budget, it's adding the trappings of a political machine: public relations strategies, official spokesmen, ties to a national organic association and fund raising for a war chest to fight the biotech industry in the state Legislature and in court.
The movement also is racking up successes, with ballot measures approved this week by supervisors in Butte, San Luis Obispo, Marin and Humboldt counties. At least eight other counties are targeted for similar ballot measures, which could create a threat to biotech's future in the nation's largest farming state.
"It's pretty doggone amazing, the network that has arisen in such a short time," said Doug Mosel, who in March helped make Mendocino the first county in the nation to ban the cultivation of biotech crops. Voters passed the measure by a margin of 56 percent to 44 percent.
Biotech industry leaders are monitoring the rising power of their opponents and facing the possibility that county-level momentum could spur a statewide campaign, said George Gough, Roseville-based government affairs manager for the Monsanto Co.
"While this still is certainly a grass-roots, county-by-county effort, it may be quickly becoming not so grass roots," he said.
Speculation is high that biotech backers will seek state legislation to end county-by-county bans.
"My sense is that they cannot afford to lose a key county like Butte," said Ryan Zinn, campaign coordinator at the Organic Consumers Association in San Francisco.
Industry leaders have revealed little about their intentions. When asked, they typically repeat the same statement: Voters shouldn't trounce farmers' rights to plant what crops they want.
Most current biotech crops give farmers easier control of bugs and weeds, though companies are working on other plants that produce drug compounds. One of the most common biotech tricks allows cultivated plants to survive sprays of common weedkillers, letting farmers kill weeds without harming crops.
So far, it's not clear who's taking the lead for business interests. CropLife America, which unsuccessfully bankrolled opposition to the Mendocino measure with more than $600,000, said it's staying out of the new round of political battles brewing in California counties.
The Sacramento-based Western Plant Health Association, a farm chemical and biotech trade group, is advising farmers about how to mount opposition but is making no other plans public. "We are very concerned, and we are still looking at all of our options," said spokeswoman Sara Miller.
The California Farm Bureau Federation, which officially supports biotechnology, is leaving response to local chapters, most of which are trying to stay neutral.
Meanwhile, anti-biotech forces are gaining sophistication and confidence. They oppose genetic engineering because they fear pollution of non-biotech crops and the potential loss of exports to biotech-wary countries such as Japan.
After their March win, GMO-Free Mendocino leaders invited groups from across the state to learn how to copy that victory. They are in contact with leaders of other county movements, offering advice and encouragement.
This week, GMO-Free Mendocino officially joined arms with the Organic Consumers Association, which bills itself as the nation's largest public-interest group dedicated to a healthy food system. The association claims 90,000 California members.
The goal of the newly minted BioDemocracy Alliance - the two groups' joint effort - is to prepare for "the biotech bullies" who could challenge the county bans in court or the state Capitol.
"(The alliance) does add to our own sophistication, which we know we need in the face of the incredible resources of money, people and influence the industry has," said Mendocino's Mosel.
The Organic Consumers Association is canvassing for money - mostly donations between $25 and $50 - and support in San Francisco. Next up are other counties such as Santa Cruz, where the organization wants to take advantage of support from organic-food enthusiasts.
The association also is trying to generate enough pre-emptive calls and e-mails to legislators to stop any bill that aims to undo county ballot measures opposing biotech crops.