Three California Democrats Team Up with Monsanto

In California, the battle over Proposition 37, which would require the labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food products, is heating up. In late July, pro-labeling groups obtained a flier sent out by a group opposed to the proposition containing the endorsements of three Democratic California Assemblymembers, even though the Democratic Party of California (and over 90 percent of consumers) supports GMO labeling.

The group that ran the flier is "No on 37: Coalition Against the Deceptive Food Labeling Scheme, Sponsored by Farmers and Food Producers," formerly known as "Coalition Against the Costly Food Labeling Proposition." "No on 37" receives major funding from the Council for Biotechnology Information (CBI) and Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), both front groups for the "Big 6" pesticide and genetic engineering companies: Monsanto, Dow Chemical, Syngenta, Bayer, Dupont, and BASF. The flier proudly bears the endorsements of Assemblymembers Henry Perea, Manuel Perez, and Alexandra Rooker, the Vice-Chair of the California Democratic Party. This despite the California Democratic Party announcing its endorsement for Prop 37 on Monday.

"No on 37" Flier

A search of Monsanto's website reveals that the corporation contributed $1,500 to Assemblymember Perea's reelection fund in April of this year. Perea is running unopposed. The contribution was discovered by Label GMOs Hollywood, an activist group that supports the labeling measure.

Monsanto Contribution to Henry Perea's Campaign Fund

Big 6 Spend Big in California

The "Big 6" front groups CBI and GMA, as well as Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Nestle, Cargill, Conagra, and other big food corporations, have collectively donated more than a million dollars to efforts to oppose the California GMO labeling proposition. As CMD guest contributor Michele Simon reported, fighting GMO labeling is the food lobby's "highest priority." Talk about "special interests."

"No on Prop 37" FlierThe largest contributions to "No on 37" came from several of the "Big 6": Pioneer Hi Bred, a subsidiary of Dupont, gave $310,000; BASF Plant Science gave $126,000; Syngenta gave $63,300; their Washington-based lobbying powerhouse Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) gave $250,000 (BIO is funded by a long list of agrichemical companies including Monsanto); and GMA gave $125,000.

Responding to the release of these numbers by the California Secretary of State on Tuesday, Marcia Ishii-Eiteman, PhD, senior scientist at PANNA, said, "Much of the rest of the world -- including Japan, Australia, the European Union and China -- already requires genetically engineered foods to be clearly labeled. But in the U.S., pesticide corporations like Monsanto continue to enjoy unfettered and unlabeled access to the market, and a consumer population that is left largely in the dark."

Stacy Malkan, a spokeswoman for the "Yes on 37 Right to Know Campaign," asked, "Why are these giant food companies spending so much money to hide the truth about what's in our food? These same companies are already informing foreign consumers about genetically engineered food in 49 other countries... Californians have a right to know what's in our food, too."

Over 90 percent of Americans believe they have a "right to know" and support the labeling of GMO foods. In the face of that kind of broad-based popular support, the "Big 6" and their front groups may have their work cut out for them, even if a handful of assemblymembers do team up with Monsanto and endorse the opposition.

For more on the "Big 6" lobbying agenda, see CMD guest contributor Jill Richardson's article on "Monsanto's quiet coup".

Comments

Makes no difference if they're Republican or Democrat if they support GMOs and Biotech highjacking and destroying the food supply through genetic engineering its time to remove them from office. http://forumhome.org/obesity-corn-gmos-usa-biotech-corporations-responsible-for-epidemic-of-p17429-78.htm

I can't believe a Democrat would even consider voting for this. This is what sucks about our government (one of the many) we need Dems in congress right now to get some things ironed out, but this is deplorable that their vote can be bought. Another broken spoke in the wheel. These three need to be singled out and embarrassed in public to the point they change their vote. I am surprised that a dem would vote against the interest of health, more of a republican thing to do. give the money back to Monsanto or whomever and make this right.

Bought and paid for buy yours truly big biotech chemical companies, which is who I want in charge of the food supply...NOT, dam people wake up only common sense tells you they are covering up this discusting chemicals they call food. By having to label this holds them accountable and gives people the choice to eat or not eat this so called food. No testing required no labeling required dosent it make you wonder why a country like ours has some of the most unhealthiest people in the world with all this on the rise like never before, Autisum, dieabites, cancers, heart disiease and people allergic to everything? Come on 2 and 2 still equal 4 and this is how our government is being bought and sold by big Ag, Pharma, Oil, Chemicals etc. watch "War on Health" if your still in the dark.

A new version of Old McDonald Had a Farm Old Man Santo Had a Farm...and he raised GMOs http://youtu.be/iAeBpoKfnPU

I'm originally from Fresno so hearing about Henry Perea receiving contributions from Monsanto was really shocking....Just FYI...he also received $6,900 in campaign contributions from tobacco interests in the 2011-12 election cycle. Who is he really representing? Definitely not the people of California...or their right to know what's in the food they are eating. Maybe statewide pressure and emails to his office can change his position.

Published today, reported by Reuters, and even Fox News, that rats fed Monsanto corn got tumors, major organ failure, premature deaths in French big study. In spite of the "skepticism" spin on Fox's title (we have to be very afraid of Monsanto, right?), Fox reports the findings, as well as plenty of nebulous objections by Monsanto-troops. Strangely, CNN has kept silent on this major damaging-to-Monsanto story, shame on you CNN. The study tracked the rats through all of their 2-year lifespan, instead of the convenient 3-months America and Monsanto uses. It could not have come at a better time, now that Monsanto et al have spent millions of $$$ in California to not have to label GMO foods as such. America sadly has become the undignified country, where "Might is Right", and where Might=Money. No pride, no truth, no honesty, no morals, no ethics, just bribes and strong-arm tactics run this country, from government to business. The whole world can see it too. Here is the link to the article: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/09/19/study-on-monsanto-gm-corn-concerns-draws-skepticism/

thanx for posting the homework on whos funding the no on prop 37, i had afeeling it was going to be corrupt but i had no idea some senators would sellout the people that elect them to live off of our taxes like this.