Using science to address agricultural issues is vital.  But due to the money and power of large companies with vested interests, the studies that are conducted on agricultural technologies, from GMOs to pesticides, are often deeply flawed.  Scientists who want to conduct impartial studies are often blocked by a lack of funding, or outright attacked if their study results contradict the industry’s position.

The Texas House of Representatives is considering  a resolution, HR 1508, that opposes any regulation of GMOs, pesticides, or other “modern agricultural technologies” except when based on “sound science.”  The premise of the resolution is that these technologies are the key to an abundant, safe food supply — a premise that is contradicted by multiple studies and reports.   The full text of the resolution is below.

We need support for independent, objective studies on these issues — not a blind vote of confidence in the industry.

HR 1508 will be voted on by the Texas House on MONDAY, May 18 (the originally scheduled vote was delayed)

TAKE ACTION

Call or email your State Representative to urge him or her to vote NO on HR 1508.

You can find out who your State Representative is by going to www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us or calling the Texas Capitol Switchboard at 512-463-4630.

Message:

Hi, my name is ____, and I am a constituent.  I am calling to urge Representative ______ to vote NO on HR 1508 when it comes to the floor on Monday.   This resolution is based on the false claim that we need GMOs and toxic chemicals to feed the world, and ignores the many truly innovative technologies that are being used in sustainable agriculture to produce healthy foods and promote local economies.”

You can learn more by reading FARFA’s testimony to the Committee here

Text of HR 1508

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A sustainable agricultural system is crucial to the continued production of food, feed, and fiber to meet both domestic and global demand; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, the agriculture and food production industries employ precision farming equipment, crop protection chemistries, genetic engineering or enhancement, agricultural nutrients, and other modern technologies; such advanced practices protect the safety of the public and reduce  environmental impact while expanding yields, improving profitability, and ensuring an abundant and affordable food supply; and

WHEREAS, Agricultural pests present significant dangers to the industry and to global supplies of the products they attack; accordingly, the environmental risks of forgoing advances in agricultural technologies that protect crops are severe; excessive regulation may scuttle or discourage the use of agricultural chemicals that could improve human welfare; and
WHEREAS, Crop protection is among the most studied and highly regulated of all industries, at both the state and federal levels; the use of sound science should be the bedrock of our nation’s regulatory scheme for the agriculture and food production industries, as these industries are critical to the economic vitality of Texas and the United States;

now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby express support for the use of sound science to study and regulate such modern agricultural technologies as crop protection chemistries, genetically engineered or enhanced traits, and nutrients; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas House of Representatives express opposition to legislative or regulatory action at any level that may result in unnecessary restrictions on the use of modern agricultural technologies; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the chief clerk forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.