The GMO crops in the USDA pipeline:

- 2,4-D corn

- 2,4-D glufosinate tolerant soy (Dow)

-Glyphosate and isoxaflutole tolerant soy (Bayer)

-Bt corn (from Syngenta)

-Hybridization system corn based on glyphosate resistance (Monsanto)

-Glyphosate tolerant corn (Genective)

- 2,4-D, glyphosate, glufosinate tolerant soy (Dow)

-Dicamba tolerant soy (Monsanto)

-Imidazolinone tolerant soy (Basf)

-Glyphosate tolerant canola (Monsanto)

-Glyphosate tolerant canola (Pioneer)

-Low-browning apple (Okanagan Specialty Farms)

-High-yield soy (Monsanto)

Other Risks to Farmers:

• 2,4-D was in 60% of air samples (1995): Broad scale aerial application puts a lot more into the air. Current spraying is mainly on rangelands, pastures, wheat farms & lawns.
• 2,4-D was in 15% of rivers and streams , also well water that farmers/livestock drink
• Inert ingredients in these herbicides also toxic: many cause genetic damage. Inerts aren't on the label and farmers are not informed about what they are working with.
• Contaminated with dioxins : EPA data shows 25% of 2,4-D products were contaminated with various dioxins in the 1990's. Dioxin is extremely toxic to health of all living things in minute amounts.
• Health effects: 2,4-D associated with various forms of cancer, Parkinson's, nerve damage, hormone disruption and birth defects. Limited studies show these are higher in farmers. (In 2005, 2,4-D found in urine of 25% of Americans.)

Other General Facts:

• EPA denied a petition to ban or control 2,4-D earlier this year.
• 2,4-D Mode of Action: Works like a growth hormone to increase plasticity of the plant cell walls, the amount of proteins in the plant, and the amount of ethylene produced by the plant. The effect is that cells divide and the plant grows uncontrollably, tissues are damaged, and the plant dies.
• 2,4-D use in corn: could trigger a 30-fold increase in overall use by 2020, from 27 million lbs to over 100 million lbs. If 2,4-D soybeans and cotton are approved, it would boost the use that much more. PAN's Senior Scientist Marcia Ishii-Eiteman says that this technology is designed to boost indiscriminate herbicide use and chemical sales.

Who is Vilsack? The USDA Secretary of Agriculture has repeatedly demonstrated a preference for large industrial farms and GE crops. As Iowa governor in 2005, he originated the seed pre-emption bill, effectively blocking local communities from regulating where genetically engineered crops would be grown; additionally, Vilsack was the founder and former chair of the Governor's Biotechnology Partnership, and was named Governor of the Year by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, an industry lobbying group

Sunday, November 18, 2012 from 9:30 am - 10:45 at the Los Angeles GreenFestival

Green America, Food Democracy Now, Non-GMO Project, Institute for Responsible Technology and Nutiva are forming a coalition of companies and NGOs that recognize the importance of pushing GMOs off of grocery shelves. and want to plan major actions for the coming year. Standing in solidarity with the great anti-GMO work going on, our purpose is to broaden the voices and expand the movement of people and companies through a national “GMO Inside” Campaign.

Agenda for Sunday:

Salute all that has been done on Prop 37, and get advice on the next big consumer mobilization. With strong national and state organizing for labeling, and an excellent non-GMO verification infrastructure, what is the next big consumer awareness/mobilization? We’ll share ideas for goals, strategies, and tactics and seek your insights. RSVP to Fran Teplitz at fteplitz@greenamerica.org, or call at 202-872-5326 to let us know if you or someone else from your organization or business will be able to participate in the strategy discussion.