New York State Assembly Passes bill to help protect farmers from GMO Makers
The New York State Assembly opened its 2015 session by passing as its first bill one of Assemblyman Tom Abinantis (D-Greenburgh/Mt. Pleasant) pieces of legislation (A.298) dealing with genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Abinantis legislation would help farmers defend against unfair lawsuits by GMO seed manufacturers. Abinantis bill allows farmers to assert as a defense that they didnt plant the seeds.
Its unconscionable that companies like Monsanto can win lawsuits for alleged violations of their seed patents against small farmers because GMO crops are found on the farmers property when the farmers didnt plant the seed, said Abinanti. Its common sense that giant corporate seed manufacturers should not be able to intimidate farmers because the wind or rain carried GMO seeds from a far away farm and actually contaminated the farmers otherwise organic crops.
Abinanti said that farmers just like consumers should have the choice to not use GMO products.
http://patch.com/new-york/rivertowns/assembly-passes-first-2015-bill-abinantis-gmo-bill-0