 Vote
Yes on 27
Label Genetically Engineered Foods
October 23, 2002
Contact: Mel Bankoff 541.485.0495
Paul McCartney took time out yesterday from his US concert tour
to record radio ads supporting Oregon’s hotly contested Measure
27 to label genetically engineered food. The 30-second radio ads
will begin airing tomorrow, October 24, on stations throughout Oregon.
If the measure passes, Oregon would become the first state in the
U.S. to require genetically engineered foods to be labeled.
The ads resulted after McCartney made a surprise call from Los
Angeles to Mel Bankoff of Eugene, Oregon, an organizer in the Yes
on 27 campaign. McCartney played at Portland’s Rose Garden
just last Friday, October 18 as part of U.S. concert tour.
"Paul called me to express his support for Measure 27,"
said an elated Bankoff. "His concern for safe food is well
known so I asked if he would do a radio ad for Measure 27 and he
said yes," Bankoff continued.
In the ad, Paul McCartney expresses his support for Measure 27.
McCartney stresses the importance that people know what’s
in their food and are able to make informed choices. He explains
that the laws to label genetically engineered foods in European
Union countries have not affected farmers or food prices. He ends
by encouraging voters to "vote yes on Measure 27" and
declares, "Let it be…labeled".
McCartney’s support is a welcome boost for the Measure 27
campaign. The campaign has seen its significant lead eroded by a
full-scale media assault paid for by out-of-state multinational
corporations who argue against the labeling of genetically modified
and engineered foods.
Measure 27 has already received extensive media coverage because
of the high stakes in this "David and Goliath" battle.
Labeling opponents, including Monsanto and Dupont, have contributed
at least $4.5 million, 99% of which came from outside of Oregon,
toward a record-breaking $6 million campaign against Measure 27.
"Paul McCartney is a good man. I was surprised by his call,
but not by his kindness and his commitment to the success of Yes
on 27," said Bankoff.
The radio ad can also be heard at www.VoteYesOn27.com.
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