Amendment c3ta

On page 1 of the printed resolution, delete lines 3 to 14, inclusive, and insert:

WHEREAS, American agriculture has an impressive track record of successfully addressing the food, clothing, and fiber needs of a growing world population; and

WHEREAS, this success has come through good management, new innovations, and scientific advancements, including proper use of biotechnology; and

WHEREAS, the adoption of biotechnology by South Dakota farmers leads the nation. According to the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, ninety-five percent of all corn and ninety-eight percent of the soybean acres planted in South Dakota in 2010 were a genetically engineered variety; and

WHEREAS, in the field of agricultural biotechnology, farmers have worked closely with the seed industry to meet their stewardship obligations through contractual arrangements and other mechanisms; and

WHEREAS, America's farmers and ranchers have demonstrated their ability to coexist with neighboring growers, whether through neighbor-to-neighbor communications, through state seed certifying agencies, or other local, state, or regional initiatives; and

WHEREAS, the United States Department of Agriculture recently announced its decision to fully deregulate biotech alfalfa, as well as reestablishment of advisory committees to find ways to ensure the availability of high quality seed, to ensure that growers have access to the best tools available to support their production choices, and to conduct research into areas such as ensuring the genetic integrity, production, and preservation of alfalfa seeds entrusted to the germplasm system; and

WHEREAS, this decision by the United States Department of Agriculture supports the concept that any proposals to change United States government policy on agricultural biotechnology regulation must be done through a thoughtful dialogue inclusive of all federal government agencies:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Senate of the Eighty-sixth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the United States Secretary of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture be applauded for making a regulatory decision based on sound science; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the United States Department of Agriculture be urged to develop a faster approval process for new tools for America's farmers.".