AG-15-1-Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Resolution

WHEREAS a tremendous amount of resources have been dedicated to the study of biotechnology and the American Medical Association, the National Academy of Sciences and many other organizations have found GMOs to be safe. Nearly 2,000 independent, peer-reviewed studies back-up these findings, and WHEREAS GMOs have helped feed more than 300 million Americans and a global population of 7 billion – of which 1 in 8 suffer from hunger and malnutrition, and WHEREAS by 2050, the global population is expected to rise to 9 billion. Experts predict we will need 70% more agricultural production to keep pace; and utilizing GMO crops that increase productivity while reducing land, water and pesticide use will be critical to this achievement, and WHEREAS GMOs enable farmers to be better stewards of the environment, allowing farmers large and small to grow more crops on less land while using fewer pesticides and less water, and WHEREAS an estimated 80% of foods in North America now contain some genetically engineered foods, and WHEREAS there is not a national labeling standard that identifies GMO products for consumers, and WHEREAS a patchwork of various state labeling laws would result in confusion and severe consequences for America’s farmers, small businesses and consumers, and WHEREAS we need a uniform national solution to eliminate the potential confusion and costly red tape associated with the growing, 50-state patchwork of mandatory state labeling laws that could raise the cost of food for families by up to $500.00 per family per year, and WHEREAS it is critical that labeling decisions be based on sound science, and WHEREAS the consumer has the right to know what is in the food they consume, and WHEREAS legislation is frequently introduced into the U. S. Congress that calls for the labeling of products that contain genetically engineered crops. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that CLUB 20 supports a uniform national solution to eliminate the potential confusion and costly red-tape associated with the growing, 50-state patchwork of mandatory state labeling laws that could raise the cost of food for families, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CLUB 20 supports a national, USDA administered, certification program, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CLUB 20 supports a national labeling system that would provide those seeking a GMO-free option a reliable, consistent means of doing so.   Adopted 9/11/2015

Resolution in PDF Format