A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE EXPANSION OF RESEARCH

BY THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

ON THE SAFETY AND BENEFITS OF CAMELINA SATIVA

WHEREAS, the United States is aggressively pursuing a renewable, alternative fuels market that can be produced and sustained domestically, and

WHEREAS, biofuels and biofuel technologies have greatly improved in performance efficiency over the past decade, but continue to receive resistance due to the “Food vs. Fuel” argument, and

WHEREAS, research suggests that Camelina Sativa requires less water, fertilizers, pesticides, and fieldwork than many crops making it a low cost option crop, and

WHEREAS, research suggests Camelina Sativa is a highly resilient crop that thrives in arid climates and can be grown in all western states and many northeastern states, and

WHEREAS, Camelina Sativa has proven to be one of bio-diesel’s high performing seed oil options, and

WHEREAS, the byproduct from the extraction of Camelina seed oil is Camelina meal, which contains high, nutritious levels of protein, amino acids, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Camelina meal to be fed to broiler chickens at 10% of the ration, beef at 2%, and growing swine at 2%, and

WHEREAS, further research and changes in ration percentages of Camelina Sativa might help improve the efficiency of feed products for livestock,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) urges the leadership within the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. federal government, as well as bio-diesel organizations, such as the National Bio-Diesel Board, to take steps to bring industry leaders together to address the potential of Camelina Sativa as an efficient cash crop, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NLGA encourages the FDA to further evaluate Camelina Sativa for beneficial use as a ration for beef, swine, dairy cattle and layers (egg laying chickens), as well as the added benefit of amino and Omega-3 fatty acids found within the meal, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Speaker and Minority Leader of the US House of Representatives and the Majority and Minority leaders of the US Senate, the appropriate chairs of the congressional committees, and the US Secretary of Agriculture, the US Department of Energy, and that NLGA make all state elected officials aware of passage of the resolution through a notice in StateNews magazine, and that NLGA further post full text of the resolution to its web page making the resolution available at all times for all NLGA members,  state elected officials and other interested parties.   

Passed by the members the 31^st day of July, 2009.         

Sponsor:  Lt. Governor John Bohlinger, Montana