To: The Washington State House, The Washington State Senate, and Governor Jay Inslee
GMO FREE SKAGIT COUNTY
This petition concerns the growing of genetically modified organisms in Skagit County, WA and would make it unlawful to propagate, cultivate, raise or grow plants, animals and other organisms which have been genetically modified and provides for penalties and destruction of such organisms. This initiative is intended to prohibit the cultivation of crops, livestock and other organisms in Skagit County which have had genes intentionally modified in a way that did not occur by mating or natural recombination.
If this initiative is adopted it will be unlawful for any person or entity to propagate, cultivate, raise or grow genetically modified organisms in Skagit County. “Organisms” is defined to mean “any biological entity capable of replication or transferring genetic material.” “Genetically modified” is defined to mean “an organism, with the exception of human beings, in which genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination.”
Certain activities are exempt by the terms of the initiative and not unlawful. Exempt activities occur at educational facilities working with genetically modified organisms indoors with safety precautions to prevent release of material. Also, certain health care providers are exempt.
This measure includes enforcement provisions making a violation a public nuisance subject to civil enforcement and making any person who knowingly violates the law responsible for administrative and abatement costs. A second violation is a misdemeanor and third and subsequent violations are a gross misdemeanor.
If this initiative is adopted it will be unlawful for any person or entity to propagate, cultivate, raise or grow genetically modified organisms in Skagit County. “Organisms” is defined to mean “any biological entity capable of replication or transferring genetic material.” “Genetically modified” is defined to mean “an organism, with the exception of human beings, in which genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination.”
Certain activities are exempt by the terms of the initiative and not unlawful. Exempt activities occur at educational facilities working with genetically modified organisms indoors with safety precautions to prevent release of material. Also, certain health care providers are exempt.
This measure includes enforcement provisions making a violation a public nuisance subject to civil enforcement and making any person who knowingly violates the law responsible for administrative and abatement costs. A second violation is a misdemeanor and third and subsequent violations are a gross misdemeanor.
Why is this important?
San Juan county just became the first in our state to become GMO free. Farmers united with locals to make it so. If we do not protect the integrity of our farms, we cannot insure the safety of our children's futures. GMO's are a corporate intrusion we cannot afford. Let's make Skagit County the second GMO free county!