Resolution in Ann Arbor passed

This resolution passed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Nov 9.
A victory for the Michigan Resistance Against Genetic Engineering.

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RESOLUTION:

Whereas, the Ann Arbor community has a right to know whether the food they
consume contains or is produced with genetically engineered material, dues
to environmental, health, ethical, religious, or economic concerns
associated with genetically engineered food; and

Whereas, genetic engineering in agriculture threatens sustainable,
regional, non-corporate agriculture upon which the economy and character of
the Ann Arbor community depends; and

Whereas, insufficient knowledge currently exists as to the long-term
environmental and human health risks of genetic engineering in agriculture;
and

Whereas, significant risks of genetic engineering in agriculture have been
published in peer-reviewed, scientific journals and include risks to
beneficial insects , creation of herbicide-resistant weeds , unexpected
allergic reaction , harm to laboratory rat intestinal functions , and
decreased nutritional content of foods ; and

Whereas, numerous bioengineers and scientists have gone on record stating
that genetic engineering technology is clearly different from traditional
breeding methods and carries the risks of un predictable health or
environmental risks ; and

Whereas, genetic engineering in agriculture may threaten organic crops
through pollen drifts and cross pollination, and reinforces an agriculture
system that includes unsustainable, high-input methods; and

Whereas, in 1999, over 60 million acres of genetically engineered crops
were cultivated in the United States; and

Whereas, the federal government currently does not require genetically
engineered foods and products to be labeled and does not require that they
be independently tested for safety;

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Ann Arbor City Council supports
the establishment of federal legislation to ban growing, disseminating, and
marketing products that contain genetically engineered organism until they
have been proven safe for human consumption and the environment.  This
legislation will create and implement a transparent system to asses the
socioeconomic, environmental, and human health impacts of genetic
engineering in agriculture that conform to rigorous scientific standards,
requires a demonstration of a reasonably certainty of no harm, shift the
burden of proof and costs to the manufacturer, and permanently codify the
precautionary principle; and

Be It Further Resolved, that for products that meet the burden of proof of
safety, the Ann Arbor City Council supports the establishment of federal
legislation requiring the mandatory, clear, accurate, and complete labeling
of all foods and products, whether foreign or domestic, derived from,
processed with produced by, containing or consisting of genetically
engineered organisms; and

Be It Further Resolved, that the Ann Arbor City Council encourages
discussion among the greater community to facilitate public input on this
and further action regarding genetic engineering in food and agriculture;
and

Be It Further Resolved, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
our State and Federal representatives requesting their support on the
enactment of the proposed federal legislation (HR 3377.IH and S 2080.IS
regarding food labeling and HR 3883.IH regarding tests for safety).