Transgenic crops prohibited in Venezuela -- NO to Monsanto

[Guest guest]

Good...no, AMAZING article! No link.

Unfortunately, with this proclamation, Robertson won't be the only one calling

for his assination....marykaye

 

President Hugo Chavez Frias has announced that the cultivation of genetically

modified crops will be prohibited on Venezuelan soil, possibly establishing the

most sweeping restrictions on transgenic crops in the Western Hemisphere. Though

full details of the administration's policy on genetically modified organisms

(GMOs) are still forthcoming, the statement by President Chavez will lead most

immediately to the cancellation of a contract that Venezuela had negotiated with

the US-based Monsanto Corporation.

 

Before a recent international gathering of supporters in Caracas, President

Chavez admonished genetically engineered crops as contrary to interests and

needs of the nation's farmers and farm workers. He then zeroed in on Monsanto's

plans to plant up to 500,000 acres of transgenic soybeans in Venezuela. " I

ordered an end to the project, " said President Chavez, upon learning that

transgenic crops were involved. " This project is terminated. "

 

President Chavez emphasized the importance of food sovereignty and security --

required by the Venezuelan Constitution -- as the basis of his decision. Instead

of allowing Monsanto to grow its transgenic crops, these fields will be used to

plant yuca (an indigenous crop), Chavez explained. He also announced the

creation of a large seed bank facility to maintain indigenous seeds for

peasants’ movements around the world.

 

The international peasants' organization Via Campesina, representing more than

60 million farmers and farm workers, had brought the issue to the attention of

the Chavez administration when it learned of the contract with Monsanto.

According to Rafael Alegria, secretary for international operations of Via

Campesina, both Monsanto and Cargill are seeking authorization to produce

transgenic soy products in Venezuela.

 

" The agreement was against the principles of food sovereignty that guide the

agricultural policy of Venezuela, " said Alegria when informed of the President’s

decision. " This is a very important thing for the peasants and indigenous people

of Latin America and the world. "

 

Alegria has good reason to be concerned ... with a long history of social and

environmental problems, Monsanto won early international fame with its

production of the chemical Agent Orange - the Vietnam War defoliant linked to

miscarriage, tremors, and memory loss, to which over a million people were

exposed. More recently, the company has been criticized for side-effects that

its transgenic crops and bovine growth hormone (rBGH) are believed to have on

human health and the environment.

 

Closer to home in Venezuela, Monsanto manufactures the pesticide glyphosate,

which is used by the neighboring Colombian government as part of its Plan

Colombia offensive against coca production and rebel groups. The Colombian

government aerially sprays hundreds of thousands of acres, destroying legitimate

farms and natural areas like the Putomayo rainforest, and posing a direct threat

to human health, including that of indigenous communities.

 

" If we want to achieve food sovereignty, we cannot rely on transnationals like

Monsanto, " said Maximilien Arvelaiz, an advisor to President Chavez. " We need to

strengthen local production, respecting our heritage and diversity. "

 

Alegria hopes that Venezuela's move will serve as encouragement to other nations

contemplating how to address the issue of GMOs. " The people of the United

States, of Latin America, and of the world need to follow the example of a

Venezuela free of transgenics. "

-----------------------------

Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela, is the leader that televangelist Pat

Robertson was recorded as saying, ought to be " assassinated " .

 

 

 

" When the power of love becomes stronger than the love of power, we will have

peace. "

Jimi Hendrix