New York bill would ban biotech crop production for 5 years

April 25, 2000

By BridgeNews

Chicago--April 24--Legislation has been introduced in the
New York State Assembly that would impose a five-year
moratorium on the planting of biotech crops. Further, the
bill (A09871) would require the New York Department of
Agriculture and Markets to develop a marketing plan "that
uses the moratorium as a promotional tool for New York
state agricultural products."

* * *

Among the bill's "findings" are that "genetically modified
crops pose risks of unknown dimension to human health
and the environment" and that "the growth of genetically
modified crops in New York places all state farmers at risk
in the marketplace. A moratorium on the planting and
growing of genetically modified crops in New York will
enhance the value and protect the reputation of New
York's agricultural products, conferring a significant
marketing advantage while preserving the state's
ecological health." End

Myrle Croasdale, BridgeNews, Tel: 312-454-3483

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