Stop Genetically Engineered Alfalfa
Call your Members of Congress Today

Despite overwhelming public opposition, USDA is considering lifting the ban on genetically engineered alfalfa. Approval of GE alfalfa is likely to lead to genetic contamination of organic and non-GE alfalfa, causing economic harm to organic farmers and further reducing all farmers’ seed options.

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) are circulating a Congressional ‘Dear Colleague’ letter in the House and Senate, asking USDA to maintain the ban on genetically engineered alfalfa. Contact your Members of Congress TODAY and urge them to sign onto this letter.

Contact Info

Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Ask to be transferred to your Representative and Senators' offices and ask to speak to the Agriculture Aide.

To find out who represents you, visit www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/.

Phone Rap

"Hi. I am a constituent and I am calling to urge Representative/Senator _________ to sign onto the ‘Dear Colleague’ letter circulated by Representative DeFazio and Senator Leahy. This letter calls on USDA to maintain the ban on genetically engineered alfalfa. This issue is critically important to organic farmers, as contamination from this crop may cause them irreparable economic harm. Thank you.”

Additional talking points are below. Let us know how your call went – contact Tracy Lerman, OFRF Policy Organizer: tracy@ofrf.org.

Background

In 2005, environmental groups successfully sued the USDA over its deregulation of genetically engineered alfalfa, arguing that USDA did not consider the environmental impacts of this crop. The courts banned GE alfalfa and ordered USDA to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS, for the crop.

USDA released its draft EIS for GE alfalfa in late 2009. Their EIS admits that, if GE alfalfa is approved:

• GE Contamination of non-GE and organic alfalfa crops will occur.
• GE contamination will cause negative economic impacts for organic and non-GE alfalfa farmers.
• Foreign export markets will be at risk due to rejection of GE contaminated products.
• Farmers will be forced to use more toxic herbicides to remove old stands of alfalfa.

Unfortunately, USDA has decided that these impacts are insignificant and intends to de-regulate GE alfalfa anyway.

Tell Your Congress Member that you DO NOT support the deregulation of GE alfalfa, because:

• GE contamination of non-GE and organic crops would be inevitable.
• You won't buy products that are GE-contaminated.
• Alfalfa is a major food source for livestock. GE alfalfa would destroy the integrity of organic dairy.
• You support rights of farmers to grow crops of their choice -- GE contamination makes that impossible.
• GE crops increase pesticide use, harming human health and the environment.

More Information

Congressional ‘Dear Colleague’ letter urging USDA to ban GE
Extensive backgrounder from the National Organic Coalition
Ten Good Reasons why GMOs are not Compatible with Organic Agriculture

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