SOY politics about $$$$

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politicshttp://www.soyonlineservice.co.nz/politics.htm

 

 

 

Soy Politics

The soy industry's influence over the media, research institutions and

government agencies is strong.

The goal of soy research is to boost industry profits and the US

economy.

We uncover soy industry politics.

" Soya: The Quiet Conquest "

 

Follow this link to a 1994 revelation on the way soy has infiltrated your

food, your government and has captured well wishers in food safety regulatory

agencies everywhere.

 

Who Funds Soy Research and Why?

 

Multiple millions of dollars are spent on soy research each year. Most

State Soybean Boards fund their own research programmes (e.g., Arkansas Soybean

Board which spent US$1.1 Million in research in 1998-1999) but the grants

offered are insignificant when compared with that of the United States

Department of Agriculture (USDA).

 

The USDA Soybean Promotion and Research Program was established by the

Soybean Promotion and Research Order and is authorised by the Soybean Promotion,

Research, and Consumer Information Act [7 U.S.C. 6301-6311]. The Act was passed

as part of the 1990 Farm Bill. It authorized the establishment of a national

soybean promotion, research, and consumer information program. The program

became effective on July 9, 1991, when the Order was published. Assessments

began September 1, 1991.

 

As required by the Act, USDA conducted a referendum among soybean

producers on February 9, 1994, to determine whether the program should continue.

Of the 85,606 valid ballots cast, 53.8 percent of soybean producers voting

favoured the program. As required by the Act, USDA conducted a producer poll on

July 26, 1995, to determine whether producers supported conducting a referendum

to determine if refunds should continue. Only 48,782 producers participated in

the poll--less than the 76,200 required to cause a refund referendum to be

conducted. Refunds were discontinued on October 1, 1995.

 

The program’s goal is to strengthen the position of soybeans in the

marketplace and to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for

soybeans and soybean products. It is funded by a mandatory assessment of 0.5 of

1 percent of the net market price of soybeans. All producers marketing soybeans

must pay the assessment. Assessments under this program total approximately $80

million annually and are used to fund promotional and informational campaigns

and to conduct research with the objective of expanding and improving the use of

soybeans and soybean products.

 

You can read more about the USDA Soybean Promotion and Research Program

at the United Soybean Board Site.

Of course there's nothing wrong with research, but Soy Online Service

think that the motivation for research should be the honest search for

scientific truth (remember the good old days!!). The vast majority of current

USDA and industry funded soy research is obscenely slanted toward the benefits

of soy. And, what do you know? Soy cures cancer! Little surprise soy

consumption is up, the soy magnates are laughing all the way to the bank and the

US economy also gets a nice little boost.

 

Well the facts are that if you believe the industry message about how

great soy is then you are just another sucker. Soy Online Service views the soy

industry as the worst type of scum on the face of the earth; happy to promote

dubious health claims and take your money, while at the same time endangering

more than a million soy formula fed babies each year.

 

Don't upset the Soybean Cart

 

Soy Online Service first encountered the politics of soy when we addressed

the New Zealand Ministry of Health over concerns about the phytoestrogen content

of soy formulas for infants. An internal memo from the Chief Toxicologist to

the Minister of Health (and ex Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley) indicated a high

level of concern for the health of infants fed soy formulas but stating that:

 

'if the dose was high enough over a sufficient length of time, such

toxicants could cause significant adverse health effects including growth

depression, immunosuppression, abnormal responses to hormonal stimulation and

cancer'.

 

However, the memo also noted that the concerns we had raised had potential

for 'mischief, especially in the media' and that 'soybeans are big business,

especially in the United States and is a traded item on international commodity

markets''. An earlier memo clearly stated the New Zealand government's desire

to 'regain control' of the situation.

 

This was in 1994 and rather than 'risk damaging an industry' the New

Zealand Ministry of Health lied to the public about the risks associated with

feeding soy formulas. Despite mounting evidence to the contrary, and continual

questioning in Parliament, the Ministry of Health maintained the lies by

continuing to state that there 'was no evidence of harm' and 'no substance to

our concerns'. But in November 1998 came a dramatic about-face. One can only

wonder at the power of multi-national interests when Ministers of the New

Zealand government would condone the breaking of consumer protection laws that

they in their oaths of office swore to uphold. "

 

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Over the next few weeks we will

present clear evidence and testimony of industry and government deceit. And

you'll be able to read for yourself the damning documents we have obtained under

the New Zealand Official Information Act and the US Freedom of Information Act.

 

 

 

 

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