CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY-FIRST COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. M-14-3 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Isaac Benton and Diane Gibson
MEMORIAL
title
Expressing Support For The Mandatory Labeling Of Genetically Engineered Products To Inform Consumers About The Content Of Food Products (Benton, Gibson)
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EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE MANDATORY LABELING OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED PRODUCTS TO INFORM CONSUMERS ABOUT THE CONTENT OF FOOD PRODUCTS.
WHEREAS, the City of Albuquerque recognizes that consumers have the right to receive accurate and thorough information about the products they consume and feed to their families; and
WHEREAS, the potential long-term risks to public health and the environment from genetically engineered products are largely unknown; and
WHEREAS, safety studies on genetically engineered products are limited because biotechnology companies, in seed licensing agreements, generally prohibit their cultivation for research purposes; and
WHEREAS, independent, peer-reviewed research on genetically engineered crops has revealed problems with liver and kidney functions in rats; some deformities and neurological problems in vertebrates; and lower nutrition content in pesticide-resistant crops; and
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the United States Department of Agriculture to ensure that genetically engineered crops are safe to grow, the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that genetically engineered products will not harm the environment and the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that genetically engineered food is safe to eat; and
WHEREAS, the United States federal agencies that regulate genetically engineered products, including crops and animals, and the New Mexico Legislature have not yet enacted a comprehensive plan to oversee and monitor genetically engineered products; and
WHEREAS, farmers who produce organic or non-genetically engineered crops run the risk of crop contamination from nearby genetically engineered crops; and
WHEREAS, farmers who unintentionally grow patented, genetically engineered seeds or who harvest crops that are contaminated with genetically engineered traits could lose marketing options and face costly lawsuits; and
WHEREAS, a 2008 CBS/New York Times poll found that 87 percent of U.S. consumers wanted all genetically engineered ingredients to be labeled.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
Section 1. The City of Albuquerque supports mandatory labeling of all genetically engineered food products and calls upon the Albuquerque metropolitan region's State legislative delegation, the Governor, and New Mexico's Federal Congressional delegation to support such mandatory labeling.
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