Kucinich Introduces Five GE Bills to House

WASHINGTON--Five bills were introduced this week to Congress that would provide a regulatory framework for all genetically engineered (GE) plants, animals, bacteria and other organisms. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) was the primary sponsor of the bills, each one having more than 20 House co-sponsors. Endorsers include the Sierra Club, the National Farmers Organization, the Center for Food Safety (CFS), the Organic Trade Organization (OTA) and the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA).

One of the five bills--the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act (H.R. 4814)--is the standout of this crowd. This act would require food manufacturers to label products that contain or are produced with GE materials. It was referred to the Committees on International Relations, Ways and Means, Financial Services, and Agriculture.

"Genetic engineering is a powerful technology," Kunicich said in a press release. "Current laws, such as our food safety and environmental laws, were not written with this technology in mind."

The four other bills include the Genetically Engineered Crop and Animal Farmer Protection Act (H.R. 4812), which would provide additional protection to farmers and ranchers that may be harmed economically by GE seeds, plants or animals. It also would ensure farmers and ranchers would be treated fairly in their dealings with biotech companies. This bill was given to the Committee on Agriculture.

The Genetically Engineered Food Safety Act (H.R. 4813) would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act with respect to the safety of GE foods. It was sent to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

The Real Solutions to World Hunger Act (H.R. 4815) would ensure efforts to address world hunger through GE crops and animals while protecting human health and the environment in these countries. This bill was sent to the Committees on International Relations, Ways and Means, Financial Services, and Agriculture.

The Genetically Engineered Organism Liability Act (H.R. 4816) would assign liability for injury caused by GE organisms. It was referred to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce.

"These initiatives will help family farmers and ranchers through these awkward times as new technologies advance more quickly than do the laws protecting those farmers and ranchers," said Larry Mitchell, chief executive officer of ACGA. "It will also provide our customers, both domestic and international, the information and confidence they need in order to remain our customers."

More can be found on these bills at http://thomas.loc.gov when they are posted online the week of May 27.