Cleveland City Council
passed by council on August 7th and signed
into law by the Mayor on the 17th.
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RESOLUTION NO. 1432-2000
An Emergency Resolution
Urging the federal government to require labeling of genetically
manipulated foods and further urging a moratorium on the production of
such foods until acceptable testing systems are in place.
By: Councilmember Brady
WHEREAS, genetically engineered foods have not yet been proven safe and
are not tested by any federal agency; and
WHEREAS, the Food and Drug Administration requires only that companies
producing such genetically engineered foods state, on the "honor system",
that such foods are safe with no further testing required; and
WHEREAS, a class action lawsuit has been brought against the Food and Drug
Administration to prevent it from continuing to rush such untested foods
on the market;
WHEREAS, numerous bioengineers and scientists have stated that the
technology of genetically engineered foods is clearly different from
traditional methods and could lead to a host of undesirable health and
environmental problems; and
WHEREAS, such technology further has potential negative effects in genetic
cross-pollination of beneficial plants, insects and other fragile
ecosystems;
WHEREAS, this resolution constitutes an emergency measure for the
immediate preservation of public peace, property, health or safety in that
it is essential that the public know and understand how the foods it
purchases are being produced and the possible health and environmental
risks of such production, now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND:
Section 1. That this Council urges the federal government to require
labeling of genetically manipulated foods and further urges a moratorium
on the production of such genetically manipulated foods until acceptable
testing systems are in place.
Section 2. That this resolution is hereby declared to be an emergency
measure and, provided it receives the affirmative vote of two-thirds of
all the members elected to Council, it shall take effect and be in force
immediately upon its adoption and approval by the Mayor; otherwise it
shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period
allowed by law.