GMW:_ATTACK_OF_THE_GENE_GIANTS

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GMW:_ATTACK_OF_THE_GENE_GIANTS

" GM_WATCH "

Tue, 27 Apr 2004 23:12:11 +0100

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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for more on the Millions Against Monsanto campaign:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/monlink.html

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A Call to Action

ATTACK OF THE GENE GIANTS

By Ronnie Cummins, Organic Consumers Assoc.

OASIS TV, Wednesday, April 28, 2004

http://www.oasistv.com/news/4-28-04-story-1.asp

 

LITTLE MARAIS, Minnesota--April 28, 2004--We have reached a turning point in

history. Although organic farming is now the fastest growing component of world

agriculture, with farmers in 110 nations now cultivating certified organic

crops, there are unfortunately approximately 150 million acres of herbicide

resistant or Bt-spliced genetically engineered (GE) crops (soybeans, corn,

cotton, and canola) planted across the world--99% of them cultivated in only

four nations: the U.S., Canada, Argentina, and China.

 

These " Frankencrops " are contaminating the food supply, polluting the

environment, and steadily turning the world's 2.4 billion farmers and rural

villagers into bioserfs. These GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are also

starting to pollute organic foods and crops and contaminating irreplaceable

traditional and indigenous varieties of corn and other crops.

 

Ninety-one percent of the seeds of these Frankencrops are patented by Monsanto.

Monsanto also holds the patent for the main genetically engineered animal drug,

recombinant Bovine Growth hormone (rBGH sometimes known as rBST), a cruel and

dangerous drug used to inject dairy cows to force them to give more milk in the

U.S., Mexico, and Brazil. This is why OCA is carrying out a campaign called

Millions Against Monsanto.

 

For the past decade the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) and its allies have

struggled against the machinations of Monsanto and the other Gene Giants as part

of the global resistance against GMOs. It is no exaggeration to say that

Monsanto has become one of the most hated corporations on Earth, and that

genetically engineered agriculture has spawned a massive and unprecedented

global protest movement.

 

After a decade of steady growth, Monsanto and the Gene Giants have run into a

stubborn wall of resistance. Scientific evidence is mounting that genetically

engineered foods and crops pose a major threat to human health, the environment,

biodiversity, and the survival of small farmers and rural communities. Bans,

moratoriums, labeling laws, and safety-testing regulations are starting to come

into force in dozens of nations, crippling the industry and threatening future

growth. Because of global opposition, most GE crops are currently being funneled

into animal feeds, or else used to make ethanol, a corn-based fuel. As a direct

result of widespread resistance, global acreage of GMOs is starting to level

off, and the limited number of Frankencrops or foods in the pipeline likely to

be approved (Pharm or pharmaceutical crops, rice, wheat, fish, trees) are all

extremely controversial.

 

In the wake of the Mendocino, California ban on March 2, 2004, the movement to

create GE Free Zones across the United States has accelerated, as have

legislative efforts to strictly regulate GMOs. Recent events include:

 

California: Following in the footsteps of Mendocino there are activists in at

least 12 of California's 59 counties organizing to create GE-Free zones,

including Humboldt, Butte, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, and San Luis Obisbo. Activists

from all over CA are meeting this weekend in Mendocino to plan their next moves.

In other CA news, the state's top agriculture official denied a proposal that

would allow the planting of rice, genetically engineered to create a drug. The

proposal is likely to return for reconsideration next planting season.

 

North Dakota: A petition is being circulated for a ballot measure that would

give the state the authority to reject Monsanto's new genetically modified

wheat. Farmers are concerned introduction of the crop will result in profit

losses due to decreased export demand.

 

Pennsylvania: More than 50 townships have passed ordinances that regulate the

expansion of local factory farms, and now the state farm bureau and big

agribusiness are teaming up to implement legislation that would make it illegal

for communities to have this kind of local control.

 

Vermont: Governor Douglas has agreed to sign the " Farmer Right to Know " bill

that will require labeling of genetically engineered seeds in all retail

outlets.

 

It is true that the corrupt regulatory agencies in the U.S., Canada, or other

nations may approve--against the wishes of farmers, consumers, and even major

food companies--some new Frankencrops, but the cost of doing so will be

tremendous, in terms of public debate and strife. It has now become obvious that

without widespread industry intimidation. massive propaganda, lobbying,

monopolization of seed stocks, lack of labeling laws, lack of requirements for

pre-market safety-testing, and above all billions of dollars in taxpayer

subsidies in the U.S. for farmers growing GE corn, soybeans, cotton, and canola,

Monsanto and the entire $4.25 billion agbiotech industry would collapse.

 

OCA's Biodemocracy Alliance campaign is a call to local and global action. By

educating and organizing locally, by passing local and regional bans on GE crops

and animals, we can put an end to Monsanto and the biotech industry, now, before

they do further damage. OCA believes, that despite industry propaganda, the tide

has turned. The people of the world are not willing to turn over their food and

farm sovereignty to a handful of transnational agribusiness corporations and

biotechnocrats. Instead we are moving into the age of Biodemocracy, where

organic and sustainable farming, and a global system of Fair Trade, will become

the norm, rather than the exception.

 

If we all work together we can derail the Biotech Express, possibly within the

next 24 months. But the time to take action is now. OCA believes that perhaps

the most important strategic tactic we have at the moment is passing local bans

on Frankencrops and then linking these local areas together so as to create

regional GE-Free zones, especially here in the North American Belly of the

Beast. The recent historic GMO ban passed by voters March 2, 2004 in Mendocino

County California has galvanized the grassroots in North America and shown us

how we can organize at the grassroots and win.

 

Please join us at this turning point in history, and make Biodemocracy--not

Biotechnolgy--the foundation of a sustainable and just future.

 

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

 

Ronnie Cummins is the national director of the Organic Consumers Association and

editor of BioDemocracy News, a monthly on-line newsletter devoted to genetic

engineering, factory farming, and organics. He is author (with Ben Lilliston) of

the book " Genetically Engineered Food: A Self-Defense Guide for Consumers. " The

Organic Consumers Association (OCA) promotes food safety, organic farming and

sustainable agriculture practices in the U.S. and internationally, providing

consumers with factual information they can use to make informed food choices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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