In 2012, Jackson county residents learned that a Swiss biotech company had been contracting with local farmers to grow GMO sugar beets. Concerned that pollen from these genetically engineered crops would contaminate non-GMO crops in the area, several citizens stepped forward to address the situation.

Finding no recourse after contacting numerous governmental agencies, they drafted a petition to ban the growing of GMO crops in Jackson county. After collecting over 6700 signatures, the petition was qualified and will appear on the May 20, 2014 ballot as Measure 15-119.

Assigned to Committee

On May 8, 2013 SB 633 was referred to the House Rules committee. Presently there is no action scheduled.

The Senate Vote

On May 1, 2013, Senate Bill 633 had a Third Reading and a vote in the State Senate. It passed 17 to 12, which was a great disappointment, because if this bill becomes law, it would remove local control of agricultural issues. Here's how the Senate members voted:

What is Senate Bill 633 and why are we concerned?

SB 633 is a preemption bill that would strip the rights of Oregon counties to control their local agriculture. If SB 633 becomes law, all local control of agricultural seed and seed products would be removed – replaced by a “one size fits all” policy dictated by the state.

This bill is a thinly veiled attempt by the chemical companies to silence concerns over genetically engineered foods and gut all county efforts at addressing the growing of GMO crops. SB 633 would prevent individual counties from implementing policies that make sense locally.

Jackson county voters succeeded in putting a measure to ban the growth of GMO crops on the May 2014 ballot. SB 633 is a direct attack on that citizen initiative. Passage of the bill would nullify the measure. Oregon citizens deserve to have their voices respected. SB 633 does nothing to protect local sustainable agriculture. Instead it takes away the rights of citizens to protect their food sovereignty.