What are GMO’s?

1. You Are What You EatInitiative for Labeling of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) in Wisconsin

2. What are GMO’s? • GMOs are plants or animals that have been genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses, or other plants and animals • GMOs are made by inserting a foreign gene into a plant or animal with the goal of conferring properties that have some agricultural benefit.  • Purpose: to create plants and animals that are able to withstand direct application of herbicide or to create the ability to produce an insecticide • High-Risk Crops: • Corn (Approx. 88% of U.S. crop in 2011) • Corn is found in over 75% of the food products in your grocery store • Soy (Approx. 94% of U.S. crop in 2011) • Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash

3. The Issue • Since GMOs introduction in 1996, we have seen: • 1) An increase in chronic illnesses from 7% to 13% • Recent report links glyphosate, the pesticide in Roundup for which GMO’s were created, to be linked to diseases such as Parkinson’s, various cancers, and infertility. Glyphosate destroys Cytochrome P450 pathways, which are in charge of detoxification, resulting in altered gut bacteria and diseases such as diabetes • 2) Food allergies have since skyrocketed • Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing an 18% increase in reported food allergy cases among children between 1997 and 2007 • 3) Reproductive disorders, digestive problems, and others health-related issues are on the rise • 4) Between 1996 and 2012,over 500 million additional pounds of herbicide were used to combat “superweeds” resistant to the herbicide

4. Statistics at a Glance

5. Fast Facts Farmers in 29 countries grew nearly 400 million acres of commercial GE crops in 2011, an 8% increase from the previous year. An estimated 60–70% of processed foods in the United States contain GE ingredients, and GE corn and soybeans make up the majority of the U.S. crop. In Europe, six nations (Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, and Luxembourg) have enacted bans on the cultivation and import of GE products,and at least 63nations worldwide require that all GE foods be labeled as such.

6. USA’s Use of GMO Crops Compared to Other Countries

7. Solution? Require labeling of GMO-containing products

8. Current Status Throughout the States In 2011, Center for Food Safety submitted a formal legal petition to theFood and Drug Administration (FDA) on behalf of over 650 companies and organizations demanding that FDA require the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods. Since it was filed, 55 members of Congress and over 1.4 million people have submitted comments in support of the petition; yet, FDA has failed to take action to require the labeling of GE foods.  Because of this, U.S. States have taken the lead in protecting the public’s right to know what is in their food. In 2013, Connecticut and Maine passedGE labeling, laws, with another in Vermont passing one legislative body. In total, 54 bills were introduced across 26 states, and a Washington Stateballot initiative narrowly lost, 51-49%. But the momentum is only growing… Already in 2014, 33 new GE food labeling bills were introduced in 19 states, with an Oregon ballot initiative also on target for November2014, bringing the total number of active bills and ballot initiatives to65 across 26 states.

9. WISCONSIN’S VENUE AND VEHICLE? Wisconsin Assembly Bill 874 introduced and read for first time on 3/18/2014 Introduced by 5 Rep.’s, all (D) Cosponsored by 3 Senators, all (D) Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on 4/18/2014 Language virtually identical to successfully passed IL SB requiring GMO labeling

10. Policy Paramours • Supporters of AB 874 • Representative Chris Taylor (D) • 76th District-Madison • Husband has PhD in teaches Environmental Studies • On Committee of Health • Rep. TodOhnstad (D) • Cosponsor of AB 874 • Serves Kenosha (local)

11. WI Senate Paramours • Senator Jon Erpenbach (D) • Use to be short order cook and meat packer • Supporter of AB874 • 2 other Senators supported AB 874 • Senator Risser (D) • Senator Harris (D)

12. Policy Paramours-Reaching Across the Aisle in the State Assembly • Rep. Robin Vos (R) • From Burlington, attended UW-Whitewater • Speaker of WI State Assembly • Owns small popcorn business (GMO-based popcorn? His thoughts on how it would impact his business? Gaining his perspective is important) • National connections-roomed w/ RNC ReincePriebus and Paul Ryan’s Chief of Staff • Rep. Alvin Ott (R) • Consumer Protection Committee • Former agri-business salesman, dairy farmer, and cash crop farmer • Help with WI Corn Growers Assoc. support of the bill • Elected to Assembly since 1986

13. Policy Paramours-Reaching Across the Aisle in the State Senate • State Senator Scott Fitzgerald (R) • Leader of the WI State Senate • Originally from Chicago • Currently lives on a farm that raises horses

14. Policy Paramours-Consumer Protection Committee • Representative Thiesfeldt (Chair) (R) • Representative Tittl (Vice-Chair) (R) • Representative Nerison (R) • Representative Weatherston (R) • Representative Jagler (R) • Representative Pope (D) • Representative Johnson (D) • Representative Wright (D) • Important Notes: • All of AB 874’s supporters were (D) • 5 out of 8 Representatives on Consumer Protection Committee are (R)

15. Policy ParamoursNational Level • First Lady Michelle Obama • Very active in the Let's Move! Initiative • Supporter of new requirements put on FDA regarding food labels • Big proponent and very outspoken about importance of leading a healthy lifestyle

16. Follow Suit on Successfully Passed Bill-Illinois • IL SB 1666 stated key Legislative Findings: • Consumers have the right to know, overwhelmingly favor (90%), 61 other countries mandate disclosure, GE of plants and animals cause unintended consequences due to imprecise process, scientists state cause an increase in levels of known toxicants and allergens, labeling can provide a method for detecting at a large epidemiological scale the potential health effects of consuming such foods, consumers may unknowingly violate their dietary and religious beliefs, restriction on imports of U.S. crops due to inability to determine what does or doesn’t meet the nation’s labeling laws, preserving economic value of exports, foods identified (voluntarily) as non-GE constitute the fastest growing market segment in agriculture, the serious effects on the environment-largely due to the 527 million pounds of additional pesticide applied to crops thanks to GE’s built-in resistant to herbicides and superweeds growing as a result.

17. Governmental Stakeholders • The EPA, USDA and FDA research establishments • Specifically, FDA has a conflict of interest • 15 influential people in the gov’t also hold high positions at Monsanto, allowing for their own agenda in federal decision-making • Public universities/research institutions

18. Non-Governmental YOU! Citizen Consumers Local Farmers Grocery Stores Restaurants Ingredient suppliers Organic and sustainable agriculture groups Animals Environment Health Practitioners (in documentation of trends in ailments once GMO’s are labeled)

19. MESSAGING & MARKETINGGMO Labeling: Because There’s Something Unusual About Transferring A Firefly Gene Into A Tomato • Have we though through the realistic potential for problems and put regulatory safety nets out to protect ourselves? • Be Transparent! If there’s nothing to hide then simply don’t imply like you’re trying to! • A simple label will provide consumers with the ability of choice-something that every individual should be able to decide for his or herself • Individual’s rights are more important than corporations’ rights • Proposed action: Amend AB 874 • To help alleviate the fears producers have with labeling, they could also include labeling/advertisements that indicate the product being grown locally, having a positive impact on the environment, etc. • Studies have shown that when thoughtful marketing is implemented, seemingly obvious evils of GMO’s may be reduced in consumers eyes. • Psychology studies show that truthfulness helps sales-even if the truth is sometimes scary to some. • PLEASE SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT WE EAT!

20. Sources http://datcp.wi.gov/Farms/Organic_Farming/Advisory_Council/index.aspxhttp://legis.wisconsin.gov/lrb/pubs/wb/12wb10.pdf http://www.anh-usa.org/gmo-labeling-bill-introduced-in-congress/ http://www.michaelbest.com/pubs/pubDetailMB.aspx?xpST=PubDetail&pub=3602 http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/resources/upload/docs/what/policy/legislation/wi%20ab%20874_gmo%20labeling_taylor_3-18-14.pdf (ACTUAL PROPOSED BILL) https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2013/proposals/ab874 http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/120-a358/ http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/viewpoints/dont-fear-gmos-genetically-modified-food-is-just-the-latest-chapter-in-10000-years-of-high-tech-agriculture-20140406 http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2013/11/04/dear-washington-voters-genetically-modified-food-should-be-labeled http://www.tendergreens.com/blog/274/an-argument-for-labeling-genetically-modified-foods http://organicconnectmag.com/whats-the-difference-between-ge-and-gmo/#.U0VfyvldWoM http://www.marklynas.org/2013/10/why-we-need-to-label-gmos/

21. Sources http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/03/opinion/schubert-gmo-labeling/ http://www.responsibletechnology.org/10-Reasons-to-Avoid-GMOs http://swcoalition.org/2013/09/whos-stake-gmo-policy/ http://supermarketnews.com/blog/stakeholders-gmo-debate-prepare-clash-again http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09371.htmlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/carole-bartolotto/why-genetically-modified-food_b_4039114.html http://grist.org/food/would-gmo-labeling-increase-food-prices/ http://grist.org/food/genetically-engineered-food-allergic-to-regulations/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1083956/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/05/01/the-rise-of-genetically-modified-crops-in-two-charts/