GMO labeling
September 1st, 2016 I received an email from the Washington State Attorney General, Bob Ferguson, in which he gave the following updated report that I think readers may be interested in knowing. Why? Because it addresses how issues are strategized and apparently manipulated in the USA, which really should be outlawed at all levels.

Those levels especially involve dealing with federal and states legislators, members of Congress, federal and states regulatory agencies and, particularly, public referenda/initiatives that would influence legislation, since consumers don't have the persuasive financial clout corporations PO$$E$$ and presumably often even use illegally. There needs to be a level playing field in getting all legislation passed without undue vested interest influences! Big Pharma, especially, should have "its sails trimmed," as it is one of the most influential of all "movers and shakers"!

Following is the email from AG Bob Ferguson:
Holding the Grocery Manufacturer's Association accountable

A Thurston County Superior Court judge already ruled [1] that the Grocery Manufacturer's Association [GMA] violated Washington State campaign finance laws in its bid to defeat 2013's GMO-labeling Initiative 522. [2]The court is now considering whether the Association's illegal conduct was intentional.

That determination will have significant bearing on the penalties the organization will pay. If the court rules that Association's conduct was intentional, the penalties can be tripled.

In 2013, the Association raised $14 million from its members in solicitations for a new "Defense of Brands" account, above and beyond regular member dues. PepsiCo, for example, contributed nearly $3 million to the account, and Nestle and Coca-Cola upwards of $2 million each.

The Association then donated $11 million of the $14 million to the "No on 522" campaign. As a result, the money was listed as coming from Association, not the actual donors. [CJF emphasis added]

I've argued all along that the association knew what it was doing. Internal documents obtained during my office's investigation reveal what we believe is an intentional effort to bypass campaign finance disclosure laws. Meeting minutes were uncovered where executives specifically discuss creating the "Defense of Brands" account so that "GMO related spending will be identified as having come from GMA, which will provide anonymity and eliminate state filing requirements for contributing members."

Under the law, sanctions for campaign finance disclosure violations can include a penalty equal to the amount of money not reported. If the court finds that the violation was intentional, that penalty can be tripled.

This landmark case has been a long fight for accountability. The message from my office is clear: I will not allow big money donors to hide from public scrutiny. I will continue to fight to hold them accountable.
"A little known fact is that the GMA actually owns the "Smart Label" trademark that Congress has accepted as a so-called "compromise" to on-package GMO labeling, and that's another reason why I [Joseph Mercola, DO] believe the Smart Label mark is the mark of those with something to hide, such as Monsanto."[3]
Below is an example of a "Smart Label" that can be read by shoppers' iPhones.

monsanto
© How Monsanto Promotes Worldwide Infertility
The above case in Washington State illustrates how GMO corporate interests apparently operate to prevent full disclosure that invariably impacts referenda/initiatives and/or pending legislation regarding the labeling of GMO 'phoods' and seeds.

I extend my most sincere thanks to AG Ferguson for his integrity, perseverance and also sharing the updated information with me.

References

[1] atg.wa.gov
[2] ballotpedia.org
[3] thesleuthjournal.com

Resource

Senate passes bill to create federal label standard for GMO foods