Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–September 13, 2013. A three-month extension of the controversial budget provision protecting genetically-modified seed manufacturers from litigation was included in the U.S. House of Representatives’ spending bill on Tuesday evening. Public interest and responsible business advocates say the provision undermines the federal courts’ ability to safeguard farmers and the environment from potentially hazardous genetically engineered (GE) crops. The controversial corporate earmark, also known as the “Monsanto Protection Act,” or “Biotech Rider,” was included in last spring’s 6-month Continuing Resolution (CR) spending bill, which funds the government until the end of this month. Beyond Pesticides joined Center for Food Safety (CFS) and over 120 of the nation’s top organizations and businesses sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Reid and Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Mikulski Thursday calling on them to strip the rider from the bill on Thursday.
