During the Bush administration, Monsanto illegally won USDA approval for its GMO alfalfa by convincing USDA regulators to bypass a mandatory environmental review. In 2007, a court reversed this decision, ordering the USDA to complete the legally required environmental impact statement (EIS).
Shockingly, the Obama Administration's recent review would approve Monsanto's GMO alfalfa.
The draft USDA EIS was issued in December 2009 and is poised to allow Monsanto's GMO alfalfa on the market, despite the fact that the USDA admits that these seeds will contaminate organic feed that organic dairy farmers rely on to produce organic milk.
According to the CEO of the largest farmer-owned organic dairy coop in the U.S., GMO alfalfa "threatens the very fabric of the organic industry." We can't allow this to happen.
Despite massive public outcry in the past, the USDA's environmental review went so far as to say that U.S. organic consumers don't care about GMO contamination.
Tell Secretary Vilsack that you care about organic contamination and that you want him to stand up for the organic industry and organic consumers.
1) Calling is absolutely the best, and the hold time is not onerous:
White House Comments: 202-456-1111
2) It's also a good idea to submit a written comment by email:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
And also to the USDA:
3) Kathleen Merrigan
Kathleen.Merrigan@usda.gov
4) Tom Vilsack's office
202-720-3631 (they will refer you to the comment line below, but calls might make an impression)
5) and last but not least, USDA Animal Plant Inspection Office Comment Line!!! if this is the ONE call you make:
202-720-3668
