Montville, Maine passed an historic ordinance today that bans the cultivation of genetically engineered (GE) crops and requires farmers already growing these crops to phase them out of production within two years.

Before today, California was the only state with a binding local ordinance that restricts growing GE crops. In 2004, Mendocino County passed Measure H and became the first county in the U.S. to ban the production of these crops.

In 2006, Montville passed a resolution that directed the town to set up a committee and draft language for a moratorium on GE crops, the product of which – a three-page ordinance – passed by an overwhelming voice vote this morning.

Proponents of Article 12 say it protects farmers who choose to plant conventional and organic crops from genetic contamination. As Envirovore reported earlier this month, it's increasingly difficult for grain growers to ensure harvests that are 100 percent free of transgenic material.

Local initiatives like Article 12 and Measure H seek to address the shortcomings of federal regulations governing GE crops. (And no state has ever enacted regulations governing GE crops.) Though these initiatives typically cover a relatively small area and population, biotechnology firms have responded aggressively by proposing preemption bills aimed to dissolve local and state control over seeds and plants, effectively undermining democracy and communities' control over public health issues. As of December 2007, preemption bills have passed in 16 states.

Even in the face of vigorous opposition, local initiatives are laudable forces effecting real change at the community level. The local ordinances in California and Maine are valuable starts.

Comments (4)

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Heres Onr for Mankind
written by Kenneth Brockman, March 30, 2008

I am all for an iniative nation wide as no one knows if the GM CROPS ARE GoING To HARM HUMAN LIFE. Not to mention whether or they will alter the ecology.

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written by Staci, April 01, 2008

YAY MAINE!

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They have already altered the
written by jeff, April 05, 2008

If you consider that fellow who went to jail. He was farming soybeans (old style) and the next thing he knew, he was being prosecuted for growing "montsanto's" roundup ready soybeans. Probably some blew off a truck into his field. they found 6 beans that contained the patented gene. now he doesn't plant soybeans or anything else. hes in prison.

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Down Sized Downtrodden Disenfranchised by Corporatism
written by Uncle B, August 14, 2009

Here I sit, by my one room Shanty, composting and spreading last nights humanure on tomorrows veggies in my garden, wondering, Can GMO's give me bigger faster veggies, drought resistant ones? bug free ones? I have lots of time for weed pulling, but I need a faster growing bug proof squash, potato, corn, beet, bean, onion, pea, than I can get seeds for a Walmart! Could some kindly Chinese outfit change my few sawbucks for some GMO seeds, I need them just to eat again tomorrow! I am no longer a fat, meat fed, ugly,selfish, greedy, arrogant, haughty, proud, air-conditioned American in a V-8 car and a McMansion, I am truly humbled by my poverty, and very sorry and apologetic for my well-to -do compatriots and the damage they do to the world! Please! Send me some seeds of life, GMO seeds for survival of the very poor! I enjoyed last year's BokChoi and look forward to anything you can send me for my independent survival this time around.

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