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April 20, 2009
Attn. Monterey County Board of Supervisors:
Mr. Fernando Armenta, 60 W. Market Street, Ste 110, Salinas
Mr. Lou Calcagno, P.O.Box 787, Castroville,
Mr. Simon Salinas, P.O.Box 946, 522-C Broadway, King City
Ms. Jane Parker, 2616 First Ave, Marina
Mr. David Potter, 1200 Aguajito Rd, Ste 001, Monterey
Re: Declare Monterey Peninsula -a GMO-free zone
Dear Supervisors,
1. Presently, there is inadequate monitoring and oversight of genetically engineered crops
by the federal and state governments, necessary to ensure public health and
environmental safety. The planting of genetically modified crops is not required to be
publicly disclosed by any federal, state or county agency.
2. There is a lack of comprehensive safety testing of the effects of exposure to genetically
engineered organisms in food. Presently, it is not required by any government agency.
3. Farmers and growers who do not want their crops contaminated with genetically
modified organisms have no way of protecting their crops. Presently, there are no
adequate safeguards to prevent genetically engineered contamination of crops, plants,
insects, wildlife and wild-lands, which can result from forces of nature. The effects on
ecosystems are unknown.
4. There is currently no legal requirement for labeling of genetically engineered foods,
seeds or rootstock, and that is a danger to consumers and farmers alike.
We believe that introducing genetically engineered crops can cause irreparable damage to
the organic industry on the Monterey Peninsula; it can cause harmful and prolonged
exposure of farm-workers to pesticides; it can cause grave health effects on the
population of the Peninsula; it can cause irreversible damages to the eco-systems of .the
Peninsula.
With this in mind, we ask you to declare the Monterey Peninsula a GMO-free zone until
such time as adequate regulations exist to address items 1, 2, 3 and 4 above.
Signed,
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