Grocery Manufacturer’s Association Modus Operandi In Defeating GMO-Labeling
September 1st, 2016 I received an email from the Washington State Attorney General, Bob Ferguson, in which he gave the following updated report that I think readers may be interested in knowing. Why? Because it addresses how issues are strategized and apparently manipulated in the USA, which really should be outlawed at all levels.
Those levels especially involve dealing with federal and states legislators, members of Congress, federal and states regulatory agencies and, particularly, public referenda/initiatives that would influence legislation, since consumers don’t have the persuasive financial clout corporations PO$$E$$ and presumably often even use illegally. There needs to be a level playing field in getting all legislation passed without undue vested interest influences! Big Pharma, especially, should have “its sails trimmed,” as it is one of the most influential of all “movers and shakers”!
Widget not in any sidebars
Following is the email from AG Bob Ferguson:
Holding the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association accountable
A Thurston County Superior Court judge already ruled [1] that the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association [GMA] violated Washington State campaign finance laws in its bid to defeat 2013’s GMO-labeling Initiative 522. [2] The court is now considering whether the Association’s illegal conduct was intentional.
That determination will have significant bearing on the penalties the organization will pay. If the court rules that Association’s conduct was intentional, the penalties can be tripled.
In 2013, the Association raised $14 million from its members in solicitations for a new “Defense of Brands” account, above and beyond regular member dues. PepsiCo, for example, contributed nearly $3 million to the account, and Nestle and Coca-Cola upwards of $2 million each.
The Association then donated $11 million of the $14 million to the “No on 522” campaign. As a result, the money was listed as coming from Association, not the actual donors. [CJF emphasis added]
I’ve argued all along that the association knew what it was doing. Internal documents obtained during my office’s investigation reveal what we believe is an intentional effort to bypass campaign finance disclosure laws. Meeting minutes were uncovered where executives specifically discuss creating the “Defense of Brands” account so that “GMO related spending will be identified as having come from GMA, which will provide anonymity and eliminate state filing requirements for contributing members.”
Under the law, sanctions for campaign finance disclosure violations can include a penalty equal to the amount of money not reported. If the court finds that the violation was intentional, that penalty can be tripled.
This landmark case has been a long fight for accountability. The message from my office is clear: I will not allow big money donors to hide from public scrutiny. I will continue to fight to hold them accountable.
* * * * *
“A little known fact is that the GMA actually owns the “Smart Label” trademark that Congress has accepted as a so-called “compromise” to on-package GMO labeling, and that’s another reason why I [Joseph Smith, DO] believe the Smart Label mark is the mark of those with something to hide, such as Monsanto.” [3]
Below is an example of a “Smart Label” that can be read by shoppers’ iPhones.
Graphic Source: How Monsanto Promotes Worldwide Infertility
The above case in Washington State illustrates how GMO corporate interests apparently operate to prevent full disclosure that invariably impacts referenda/initiatives and/or pending legislation regarding the labeling of GMO ‘phoods’ and seeds.
I extend my most sincere thanks to AG Ferguson for his integrity, perseverance and also sharing the updated information with me.
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References:
[1] http://atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/court-gma-unlawfully-hid-donors-identities-public
[3] http://www.thesleuthjournal.com/monsanto-promotes-worldwide-infertility/
Resource:
Senate passes bill to create federal label standard for GMO foods
This article (Grocery Manufacturer’s Association Modus Operandi In Defeating GMO-Labeling) can be republished with attribution to Catherine Frompovich, source article and Natural Blaze.com, keeping all links and bio intact.
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Catherine J Frompovich (website) is a retired natural nutritionist who earned advanced degrees in Nutrition and Holistic Health Sciences, Certification in Orthomolecular Theory and Practice plus Paralegal Studies. Her work has been published in national and airline magazines since the early 1980s. Catherine authored numerous books on health issues along with co-authoring papers and monographs with physicians, nurses, and holistic healthcare professionals. She has been a consumer healthcare researcher 35 years and counting.
Catherine’s latest book, published October 4, 2013, is Vaccination Voodoo, What YOU Don’t Know About Vaccines, available on Amazon.com.
Her 2012 book A Cancer Answer, Holistic BREAST Cancer Management, A Guide to Effective & Non-Toxic Treatments, is available on Amazon.com and as a Kindle eBook.
Two of Catherine’s more recent books on Amazon.com are Our Chemical Lives And The Hijacking Of Our DNA, A Probe Into What’s Probably Making Us Sick(2009) and Lord, How Can I Make It Through Grieving My Loss, An Inspirational Guide Through the Grieving Process (2008)
Catherine’s NEW book: Eat To Beat Disease, Foods Medicinal Qualities©2016Catherine J Frompovich is now available
