toothdust
12-21-2008, 07:15 PM
It seems like a slap in the face for people hoping for change when it comes to food and agriculture policy.
Vilsack has repeatedly shown support for factory farms and GMO crops.
He originated a 2005 seed pre-emption bill which basically states that local communities have no say in where GMO's can be grown or not.
He was the founder and former chair of the Governors Biotechnology Partnership.
He was named Governor of the Year by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, a powerful farm lobby group.
It is also rumored that he is friends with some higher ups at Monsanto.
So, it would seem that food policy change is going to have to come from us demanding it, because I doubt Vilsack is going to suddenly change his mind and focus on Organics.
Then again, Obama has repeatedly said that he is going to set policy, and he expects his appointees to follow it. Obama of course, is very keen on organics. He is also very critical of how corn is subsidized in this country, making it a cheap commodity for junk food and CAFO's.
Lets hope Obama gives him some clear directions that organics must start being emphasized more.
Someone pointed out to me at work too that it might not be all bad. Vilsack knows the agriculture system very well in this country, knows how it works, and potentially how to incorporate new programs into it. Hopefully Obama will give him some clear directives, otherwise I wouldn't expect too much food policy change to happen very quickly.
Vilsack has repeatedly shown support for factory farms and GMO crops.
He originated a 2005 seed pre-emption bill which basically states that local communities have no say in where GMO's can be grown or not.
He was the founder and former chair of the Governors Biotechnology Partnership.
He was named Governor of the Year by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, a powerful farm lobby group.
It is also rumored that he is friends with some higher ups at Monsanto.
So, it would seem that food policy change is going to have to come from us demanding it, because I doubt Vilsack is going to suddenly change his mind and focus on Organics.
Then again, Obama has repeatedly said that he is going to set policy, and he expects his appointees to follow it. Obama of course, is very keen on organics. He is also very critical of how corn is subsidized in this country, making it a cheap commodity for junk food and CAFO's.
Lets hope Obama gives him some clear directions that organics must start being emphasized more.
Someone pointed out to me at work too that it might not be all bad. Vilsack knows the agriculture system very well in this country, knows how it works, and potentially how to incorporate new programs into it. Hopefully Obama will give him some clear directives, otherwise I wouldn't expect too much food policy change to happen very quickly.