1.City of Richmond, Canada, Bans GMOs
2.Activists gear up to defend GMO ban
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1.City of Richmond, Canada, Bans GMOs

Dear GM Watch,

On 22nd May 2012 the General Purposes Committee of Richmond City Council, a committee of the whole, passed a motion to resolve to ban the further use of GMOs in the city. The motion is, in effect, a very strong recommendation and will be passed on to formal Council for approval and ratification.

You can see details of the motion in a press release from GE Fee BC [British Columbia] here:  http://www.localssupportinglocals.ca/news/richmond-bans-genetically-modified-plants

Normally this ratification would be a routine matter since all City Councillors sit on the GP Committee and since the motion to approve the resolution was unanimous.

BUT! The ever vigilant folks at CropLife have got wind of the affair and are sending in their shock troop, Janice Tranberg, Acting Executive Director of Plant Biotechnology for CropLife Canada, to 'help Richmond with its regulatory environment.' Naturally, one is concerned that her blandishments may gain some purchase.

On the other hand one is encouraged to know that Richmond City Council has previously stood strong against the chemical industry and, much earlier, against the nuclear industry. One wishes them the courage of their convictions once more.

You will be aware that this is but one tiny step on a very long road but it is, I think, significant. You are a vigorous opponent of the too hasty adoption of GMOs in agriculture and in our food supply. Your public acknowledgement and support of Richmond City Council can be most helpful in slowing the adoption of dangerous organisms.

I ask for your support in this matter.

Very best regards,
Larry Tolton
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2.Activists gear up to defend GMO ban
MANORI RAVINDRAN
Vancouver Sun, May 28 2012
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Activists+gear+defend/6688773/story.html

Richmond residents are rallying to defend a ban on growing genetically modified plants and crops from the biotech companies planning to attend council tonight for the ratification vote.

Local farmers and food-security groups are concerned representatives from a biotech-industry group will pressure council to abandon the resolution, which would make Richmond the first predominantly agricultural jurisdiction in B.C. to enact such a ban.

CropLife – an umbrella group for biotech companies such as Monsanto, DuPont and Syngenta – contacted Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie last week and said they would attend tonight's meeting, said Coun. Harold Steves.

The motion for the ban on genetically engineered crops and plants in the City of Richmond passed May 22 includes plans to lobby the federal government for mandatory labelling of foods that contain ingredients from genetically engineered crops and undertake public education about the issues raised by genetically modified organisms – known as GMOs or GE crops.