The U.S. House of Representatives quietly passed a last-minute addition to the Agricultural Appropriations Bill for 2013 on Wednesday.  The passage included a provision that protects genetically modified seeds from litigation resulting from health risks. 

The bill is officially titled the Farmer Assurance Provision. Opponents of GMO technology are critical of the bill and refer to it as the "Monsanto Protection Act."  The act provides Monsanto immunity from prosecution by federal courts pending the review of any genetically modified seed crop that is thought to be dangerous. This means that the U.S. Department of Agriculture can override a judicial ruling stopping the planting of a genetically modified crop.

The USDA is required by law to complete environmental impact statements (EIS) prior to the planting and sale of GMO crops. Previously, pathogens have been discovered in the Monsanto crops Round Up Ready corn and soy, which are suspected of causing infertility in livestock and impacting plant life.

Senator John Tester (D-MT) was the sole dissenter, and his proposed amendment to strip the rider from the bill was never put to a vote. No hearings were held and the provision did not pass through a review with the Agricultural or Judiciary Committees. Democrats were largely unaware of the provision altogether.

When this bill was previously proposed, as part of the 2012 Farm Bill, the Center for Food Safety, the National Family Farm Coalition, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Sierra Club and the Union of Concerned Scientists all came out against the legislation.

Many protest groups have brought up President Barack Obama's statement during the 2008 presidential campaign, when he said, "Here's what I'll do as president. We'll let folks know whether their food has been genetically modified because Americans should know what they're buying."

There has long been heated debate between food safety advocate groups and the biotech industry. The passage of this bill is seen as a victory for companies like Monsanto and Cargill, another biotech company that uses GMO technology. Super PACs affiliated with these companies have donated $7.5 million to members of Congress since 2009 and $372,000 to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Farmers are furious and were protesting in front of the White House Wednesday. Food Democracy Now has organized the protests. Groups like the Center for Food Safety are accusing the Senate Appropriations Committee of a backroom deal with the biotech industry.

Sixty-two nations currently require GMO labeling on food. A presidential veto is now required to stop the bill from passing.

A new petition now exists to protest the Farm Bill.