Family farm groups from across the country today warned that the use of genetically altered seed could be the final blow to an already tenuous farm economy.

In a ten-point Farmers' Declaration on Genetic Engineering in Agriculture released today, family
farm groups caution that farmers who plant genetically altered seed are risking their livelihoods on
a product that consumers around the world have overwhelmingly rejected.

The declaration was crafted during a first-ever Farmers' Summit Conference on Genetic
Engineering in Agriculture convened by Farm Aid on the eve of its annual concert in Virginia last
September. More than 25 farm groups, representing tens of thousands of farmers, signed the
declaration, including the National Family Farm Coalition and the American Corn Growers
Association.

Already many critical foreign markets have closed their doors to GMOs, limiting trade opportunities for farmers who are struggling against low prices and bad farm policy. Gary Goldberg, CEO of the American Corn Growers Association, urged all farmers to weigh the pros
and cons of planting genetically engineered seed before deciding what crops to plant this coming
spring.

"Export markets in Europe and Asia are saying `no' to foods produced from genetically
engineered crops. Farmers know that they have to respond to consumer demand if they are to
survive. Right now, farmers may decide it is best for them to also say `no' to GMO seed,'' said
Goldberg.

The declaration also says that inadequate testing of genetically engineered crops could open the
door to massive liability from damage caused by genetic drift, increased weed and pest resistance and the destruction of wildlife and beneficial insects.

"Consumers are right to question the safety and viability of GE crops. There hasn't been enough
research on how these products will behave once they're released. If corporate agribusiness
continues to flood the marketplace with these untested products, the companies should be held
liable for the damage caused by seeds approved without adequate assessment of risks to
farmers, human health and the environment,'' said Bill Christison, president of the National Family
Farm Coalition.

The farmers called on Monsanto, DuPont, Novartis and other biotechnology companies to
promote the sale of traditional commercial varieties over genetically engineered seed to farmers
for the coming crop year until an independent and comprehensive assessment of the social,
environmental, health and market impacts of genetically engineered seed is available.

Farm Aid Executive Director Carolyn Mugar said the summit conference and declaration mark a
historic moment in the rising debate over genetic engineering in agriculture.

"Like the rest of us, family farmers are learning more every day about the potential for problems
caused by genetically engineered seed. Their worries about these products should cause our
country and the world to take a critical look at any proposed use of this untested new technology,'' said Mugar.

Farm Aid news release
N2259