GMO Labeling: Corporations vs. We the People
It’s almost here. Another major state initiative to require manufacturers to label GMOs in the food we eat. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Washington state We the People vote on Initiative 522.
The most recent time we had a big state initiative on mandatory labeling of GMO was in California a year ago, known as Prop 37. As you may recall, at the outset of that campaign, the Yes side had a significant lead in the polls. By the time the vote occurred, the No side had won. And why did the No campaign win? Really simple: money and misinformation.
So, what’s happening in Washington state one year later? Surprise (not really): money and misinformation. A significant lead for the Yes side has now dwindled to a neck and neck race.
Money
The No campaign now holds the title as the most money raised by any initiative campaign in Washington state history, exceeding $21.4 million– surpassing the previous mark of $20.1 million. Who is paying for this? Mostly out of state biochemical giants and food industry heavyweights.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) is the top donor at $11 million – main contributors being Coca-Cola, Pepsico, General Mills, NestleUSA and Conagra Foods … and we only found this out because the Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued for campaign disclosure violations. Other top donors to No include Monsanto ($4.8 million), DuPont Pioneer ($3.9 million), Bayer CropScience and Dow Agrosciences ($592,000 each).
Read more »
Source: http://www.riseearth.com/2013/11/gmo-labeling-corporations-vs-we-people.html
