SECOND REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 30
92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Whereas, agricultural biotechnology is being used to increase the productivity of crops, thereby improving the quality of life, by developing new high-yielding crops that require fewer inputs such as pesticides and conserve natural resources in order to increase the food supply for the increasing human population, to produce more nutritious foods with longer shelf lives, and to continue to provide consumers with high-quality, low-cost food products; and
Whereas, federal law requires that all foods and food ingredients, including those produced by biotechnology, be extensively reviewed for safety by the United States Food and Drug Administration and meet the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act before they can be sold to consumers. In addition, any changes to a food product that alters the chemical, nutritional, or allegenicity of that product must be disclosed to the consumer of the product; and
Whereas, foods produced through agricultural biotechnology are as safe as foods traditionally produced and the safety of agricultural biotechnology has been supported by numerous national and international health organizations, including the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Health Organization, the National Research Council, the American Medical Association, and the American Dietetic Association; and
Whereas, Missouri farmers make decisions as to what technology to use on their farms and agricultural biotechnology is a choice being made by more and more Missouri farmers on increasing acreage; and
Whereas, agricultural biotechnology is size neutral so both large and smaller acreage farmers can benefit from the improved weed or insect control provided by agricultural biotech seeds; and
Whereas, America's farms currently export approximately 30% of their production, and these exports significantly improve the nation's balance of payments and are important to the well-being of the entire American economy; and
Whereas, farm exports are essential to the financial health of agriculture and to the economic development of Missouri and other American states; and
Whereas, the United States government should seek timely science-based approvals of new technologies to allow United States farmers to fully utilize products or technologies fully approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration that will help them grow their crops with higher yields and lower costs; and
Whereas, strong United States intellectual property protection has been a cornerstone in allowing and encouraging new technologies, including several products of biotechnology, to be developed to benefit Missouri farmers and United States agriculture; and
Whereas, the lack of intellectual property protection in Argentina and other foreign countries has put United States technology providers, seed suppliers, and farmers at a competitive disadvantage:
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-second General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby:
(1) Urge the United States government to aggressively work with the European Union and other foreign countries to move the regulatory process forward in a timely manner, and without regulatory impediments, so that American farmers can fully utilize the benefits of agricultural biotechnology products;
(2) Urge the United States government to aggressively work with Argentina and other foreign countries to improve intellectual property protection for biotechnology and other new technologies related to agriculture, so that United States technology providers, seed suppliers, and farmers can have a more level playing field with respect to technology input costs;
(3) Urge the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Congress, and the Legislatures of all 50 states to take whatever actions are necessary to ensure that American farmers continue to have access to these valuable tools which will enhance our competitiveness and to take all measures necessary to ensure free market access to new technologies, including agricultural biotechnology, to help sustain American farmers' leadership in global agriculture; and
(4) Recommend that the United States Secretary of Agriculture and other public officials representing agriculture be included as full and equal partners in the formulation of United States policies affecting foreign trade and that the United States Department of Agriculture cooperate with state agricultural trade officials in a coordinated effort to promote agricultural exports; and
Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for the United States Secretary of Agriculture, Ann M. Veneman, and for each member of the Missouri Congressional Delegation.