California
Voters Soundly Reject Biotech Bans, NCGA Notes (11-10-04)
Despite the efforts of
radical anti-technology groups, voters in three California counties
on Election Day proved that the majority of consumers support the
cultivation of biotech crops. Voters in Butte, Humboldt and San
Luis Obispo counties soundly rejected ballot measures that would
have banned the growing of biotech plants in those counties.
According to National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Leon Corzine, the votes
not only slowed the anti-biotech movement in California, but also
proved that farmers aren’t the only ones who recognize the
benefits of biotechnology.
“The results of
these ballot measures show that consumers are relying on sound science
rather than scare tactics to make decisions about biotechnology,”
he said. “The agriculture sector has long understood the benefits
of biotech crops, and now it appears as if U.S. consumers are on
board as well.”
Nearly 65 percent of
the voters in Humboldt County, where just 2 percent of the residents
are agriculture producers, were opposed to the ban on biotech crops.
Many Humboldt County residents raised questions about the extreme
language written into the measure, which went so far as to call
for the imprisonment of farmers who grow biotech crops.
More than 60 percent
of Butte County voters rejected Measure D, which would have banned
the planting of biotech plants in the county. In Butte County, only
4 percent of the workforce is classified as agriculture producers,
according to the California Employment Development Department.
In San Luis Obispo County,
where a similar proposal known as Measure Q failed by a 59 to 41
percent vote, farmers and ranchers comprise just 4.9 percent of
the workforce.
“Commercial biotech
crops have never been proven to be dangerous to human health, yet
fear-mongering extremist groups continue to spread misinformation
about biotechnology and its benefits,” Corzine said. “The
voters in these three California counties convincingly proved that
consumers are seeing through the false rhetoric propagated by these
groups. Biotech crops have a perfect health and safety record and
consumers are acknowledging that.”
Corzine said biotechnology
holds great promise for farmers and consumers alike. He said NCGA
and other farm groups continue to educate consumers on the safety
and advantages of biotech crops.
“We understand
that the use of biotechnology in agriculture is not for everyone,
but bans like those proposed in California are not the answer,”
Corzine said. “We believe this valuable technology should
remain readily available for those growers and consumers who have
embraced its potential.”