A local initiative that would ban biotechnology in Sonoma County, California, – Measure M – is a real threat to agricultural production in that county, according to American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman. Stallman addressed more than 500 ag and business leaders in Sonoma County last night and urged them to mobilize their friends and neighbors in the fight against Measure M.

“I can’t emphasize enough the importance of biotechnology and why it is so critical that we stop this initiative before it makes any more headway,” said Stallman. A vote on banning the use of biotechnology in crops grown in the county has been set for Nov. 8. “A victory against biotechnology here in Sonoma County would not just be symbolic, it would do real damage to agriculture and a treasured way of life,” Stallman said.

According to a recent National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy study, if biotech varieties of 10 key California crops were fully developed, farm income would increase by $206 million.

Stallman said other advantages of biotech crops include their use in development of new medicines with the potential to treat more than 200 human diseases. He said that “new drugs from plants – green factories – are on the horizon.”

Acknowledging that food safety is a concern often stated by consumers, Stallman said biotech foods are as safe to consume as conventional foods. “Science is on our side when it comes to defending assertions that foods derived from biotechnology are not safe,” Stallman said.

Recent studies conducted by the National Academies and the National Research Council concluded there is no reason to believe that biotech foods pose a greater threat to human health than conventional foods.

Stallman said America’s farmers are the world’s most productive, with each U.S. farmer producing food and fiber for 144 people. “Biotechnology is essential to continuing – and improving – that productivity, which is essential to our nation’s strength and food security,” Stallman said.