Study report shows foul practices in Monsanto's marketing

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GMW: Study report shows " foul practices " in Monsanto's marketing

" GM WATCH " <info

Thu, 22 Sep 2005 11:56:57 +0100

 

 

 

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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Here's some press coverage of the important new report showing Monsanto

and its pals dishonest marketing practices.

 

The report (incl. pics) can be downloaded online:

http://www.greenpeace.org/india/press/reports/marketing-of-bt-cotton-in-indi

 

For GM Watch's summary of the report, see:

http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=1837

 

EXCERPT: " The Bt cotton industry would like us to believe that their

sales are an indication of farmers' acceptance of the technology and that

it is a science-based industry. We have a different story to tell.

 

" This compilation of various marketing practices, including stories of

outright lies on the Bollgard posters, misleading advertisements of

farmers with exaggerated claims to lure other farmers, of using a variety

of incentives and even questionable means to attract and entrap farmers

makes us question the claims of the company. "

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Study report shows foul practices in Bt cotton sales

ASHOK B SHARMA

COMMODITIES BUREAU

Financial Express, September 22, 2005

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=103320

 

NEW DELHI, SEPT 21: A report released by the Monitoring and Evaluation

Committee (MEC) set up by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has

alleged that transgenic seed companies have resorted to false and

misleading

claims and unethical practices to sell Bt cotton to farmers.

 

The CSOs namely Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Greenpeace India,

Adivasi Ekta Sangathan, AKRSP, Dead, Grameen Vikas, Jan Saahas, Kheti

Virasat Mission, Krishnadevaraya Rythu Sankshema Sangam, Krushi, Mari,

Navajyoti, Pasumai Tayagam, Prasun, Rashtriya Satyagrah Dal, Sampark,

Sarvodaya Youth Organisation, Secure, Vasps and Yuva had jointly set up a

MEC on Bt cotton. This MEC was coordinated by Greenpeace India and

Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) and the study was undertaken in

Punjab, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

 

The study compiled evidences to show numerous unethical practices for

its products and then claiming it as " the willingness of Indian

farmers " . The MEC has called for accountability mechanisms to be put

in place,

to ensure that aggressive and unethical practices used by the Bt Cotton

seed corporations to gain market share are put under check.

 

" The aggressive and misleading selling techniques adopted by the Bt

Cotton companies show utter disregard for the farmers' choice to buy

seed.

This also severely limits the options available for promoting safer

alternatives like organic farming, " alleged Dr GV Ramanjaneyulu,

executive

director, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture.

 

According to Ms Thangamma Monnappa of Greenpeace India, " Agriculture is

a state subject and most states have failed utterly to evaluate the

frightening scale of this Bt Cotton disaster.

 

" The agricultural department needs to take a firm stand to ensure that

the regulatory regime is strengthened for the protection of the

farmer. " A researcher in CSA, Ms Kavitha Kuruganti said, " The Bt cotton

industry would like us to believe that their sales are an indication of

farmers' acceptance of the technology and that it is a science-based

industry. We have a different story to tell.

 

" This compilation of various marketing practices, including stories of

outright lies on the Bollgard posters, misleading advertisements of

farmers with exaggerated claims to lure other farmers, of using a variety

of incentives and even questionable means to attract and entrap farmers

makes us question the claims of the company. "

 

 

 

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