Assembly Passes First 2015 Bill: Abinanti's GMO Bill

The New York State Assembly opened its 2015 session by passing as its first bill one of Assemblyman Tom Abinanti’s (D-Greenburgh/Mt. Pleasant) pieces of legislation (A.298) dealing with genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Abinanti’s legislation would help farmers defend against unfair lawsuits by GMO seed manufacturers. Abinanti’s bill allows farmers to assert as a defense that they didn’t plant the seeds.

“It’s unconscionable that companies like Monsanto can win lawsuits for alleged violations of their seed patents against small farmers because GMO crops are found on the farmer’s property when the farmers didn’t plant the seed,” said Abinanti. “It’s common sense that giant corporate seed manufacturers should not be able to intimidate farmers because the wind or rain carried GMO seeds from a far away farm and actually contaminated the farmer’s otherwise organic crops.”

Abinanti said that farmers – just like consumers – should have the choice to not use GMO products.

Abinanti also sponsors and co-sponsors various legislation which would require labeling of some GMO products and banning of others.

The bill has now been sent to the Senate (S.3085) where it is sponsored by Senator Catharine Young (R-Olean).