Policy of the National Farmers Union
Enacted by delegates to the 106th anniversary convention
Las Vegas, Nevada
March 2-5 - 2008

12. Genetically Modified Organisms and Biotechnology

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have created a series of ethical, environmental, food safety, legal, market and structural issues that impact everyone in the food chain. Consumer and producer concerns need to be addressed.

 We acknowledge concerns that biotechnology is being used as a trade barrier. We respect all nations’ sovereignty and food policies and thus encourage open dialogue, cooperation and understanding in trade negotiations relating to biotechnology.

 We support:

  1. A moratorium on the patenting and licensing of new transgenic animals and plants developed through genetic engineering until the broader legal, ethical and economic questions are resolved. The moratorium should include the introduction, certification and commercialization of genetically engineered crops, including all classes of wheat, until issues of cross-pollination, liability, commodity and seed stock segregation and market acceptance are adequately addressed. Research conducted in an environmentally secure facility should be exempt from this moratorium. Research conducted in open field production should be subject to mandatory public disclosure of; persons or entities initiating the research, location of test sites, and specific species and traits involved and the characteristics of the intended resultant genetically modified plant to be created. Should commercialization of a new GMO become imminent, we encourage the appropriate regulatory authority to provide for a public input and review process, including production of economic and environmental impact analysis prior to commercialization;
  2. Legislation to exempt farmers from paying royalties on patented farm animals and technical fees on seeds which have been genetically modified;
  3. Legislation to prohibit the patenting of heritage seed, animal and biological genetics;
  4. Legislation to prohibit the further use of tax dollars in developing terminator technology, e.g., a gene to ensure that seed will not reproduce;
  5. Legislation to prohibit the development and selling of seed that is sterile;
  6. The right of farmers to plant seed derived from proprietary organisms on their own land;
  7. New products involving GMOs be certified as safe by the FDA in testing done independently of the patent holder, at the specific patent holder’s expense before being allowed on the market. Such testing is to be done at the expense of the specific patent holders seeking to market such products;
  8. Legislation requiring that patent holders or owners of GMO technology be held strictly liable for damages caused by genetic trespass including safety, health, economic and environmental effects. Farmers are not to be held liable for food safety, human health or environmental problems, including cross pollination, related to the use of GMOs as long as generally accepted crop production practices are followed;
  9. Congressional action to regulate the biotech industry’s technology agreements. Farmers should not have to sign away their fundamental rights, including, but not limited to, a jury of their peers in court in exchange for the privilege of growing biotech crops. Grievances should be settled in the home state of the farmer, not the state of the biotech corporation;
  10. Any damages caused to farmers through lower prices, lost markets or contamination shall be fully reimbursed to farmers, including legal fees, by the company producing the genetically modified product;
  11. All data used in the analysis of the health and environmental effects of GMOs be public record, and that criminal penalties be established for the willful withholding or altering of such data;
  12. Prohibiting government regulatory agencies from licensing genetically modified products that are not acceptable for both human consumption and animal feed;
  13. Until USDA and FDA improves oversight and regulation of pharma crops, NFU cannot endorse or support pharma farming based on economic, environmental, food safety and liability risks to producers and consumers;
  14. Requiring government regulatory agencies and input suppliers to ensure that farmers are informed of all potential market risks and segregation requirements associated with planting any licensed genetically modified crop;
  15. Government regulatory agencies shall consider domestic and foreign consumer acceptance of the product when licensing;
  16. Requiring all GMO seed to be clearly labeled with the following information: 1) markets (foreign or domestic) where the product is not accepted; and 2) all planting restrictions;
  17. Development of a paper verification system and a storage and marketing plan to aid farmers with non-GMO grains;
  18. Identity-preserved systems and insist they receive protection from cross contamination; and
  19. Requiring genetically altered or engineered food products to be appropriately labeled to inform consumers. Food products derived from cloned animals should be labeled at the retail level.