Farmers And Conservationists Challenge Latest Federal Approval Of Genetically Engineered Sugar Beets

    by Paul Achitoff

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA – February 4, 2011 – In defiance of earlier court ruling, USDA allows continued growing of controversial, illegally planted crop

    Today the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a new decision to allow the U.S. sugar beet industry to continue growing Monsanto’s “Roundup Ready,” genetically engineered (GE) sugar beets.  The […]

      U.S. Looks to Monsanto to Feed the World

      by Marcia Ishii-Eiteman

      At the annual World Economic Forum this past weekend in Davos, Switzerland, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Director Rajiv Shah stood beside CEOs from Monsanto and other infamous giant corporations, and announced U.S. support for a “New Vision for Agriculture.”

      Yes, you should be worried.

      Claiming that “large-scale private sector partnerships [can] achieve significant […]

        Bulgaria Becomes 7th EU Country to Ban GMOs

        Bulgaria’s Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov. Photo by bgnes
        by novinite.com
        Bulgaria will explicitly oppose to the proposed import of GMO-containing food products and livestock fodder in the EU.

        “I received a demarche rom Argentina, Brazil, Canada and the US asking us to support their demand that EU allows GMO-containing food products and livestock fodder on its territory,” Bulgaria’s Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenovrevealed […]

          Hidden Dangers in Kids’ Meals: Genetically Engineered Foods

          Video on Hidden Dangers in Kids’ Meals: Genetically Engineered Foods – Jeffrey Smith discusses the dangers of GMO foods.

          http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5559950370092458530&hl=en#

            This Could Threaten the Future of Food – Destroying the Entire Food Chain…

            by Dr. Mercola

            Roundup, Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicide, is causing Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS), a serious plant disease, in many fields. Study after study shows that glyphosate is contributing not only to the huge increase in SDS, but also to the outbreak of numerous other diseases.

            Glyphosate is the world’s bestselling weed killer; it was patented by […]

              Michael Pollan and Others Sign Organic Unity Statement Against Monsanto’s GE Alfalfa

              Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by tea_time
              by eatdrinkbetter
              Heavy hitters in the food movement signed a unity statement in favor of fighting the USDA’s recent approval of GE alfalfa.
              Here is the statement, in full:
              In response to the USDA’s full deregulation of genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa, the following statement was released by more than 20 groups and individuals […]

                Genetics Scientist: “GMO technolgy is in its infancy and we have no idea what the technology is going to do.”

                by Jeremy Bloom

                I’ve been asked why we’re writing so much about Monsanto and genetically modified food. “It’s been tested,” they say. “It’s safe,” they say. “There’s nothing to fear. Why are you spreading disinformation?”

                I’m not a geneticist. So if I say “We don’t know enough about this,” I’m just one guy. So I’ll let a geneticist answer those […]

                  Australia’s 1st Legal Attack on Monsanto for GMO Contamination of Organic Crops

                  Photo credit: Marie Nirme

                  by Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor
                  Over the Christmas and New Year, whilst people on the east and south of Australia were suffering floods and their consequences, one farmer, much further west, discovered a far more insidious flood was occurring on his property. He is also reeling from the consequences.

                  Steve Marsh is the farmer […]

                  New GMO Report from South Africa: GMOs Should be Banned – They Pose Unacceptable Risks to Human Health

                  by GMWatch

                  The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), tasked by law, with monitoring the impacts of GMOs on the environment, has released its first report on 28th January 2011. The report co-produced by SANBI with premier biosafety unit, Genok in Norway and a number of South African universities record the findings of a three-year […]

                    15 Years of GMO Contamination in Canada

                    by Lucy Sharratt

                    Over the past 15 years, Canadian farmers’ experience with contamination from genetically engineered (GE) crops has exposed the seriousness of the problem. One of the earliest arguments advocating caution in the release of GE plants into the environment was based on the fact we cannot control or recall these living, self-replicating organisms. […]

                      First Biotech Food Crop Containing Human Genes Set to be Approved for Commercial Production

                      by SEAN POULTER

                      The first GM food crop containing human genes is set to be approved for commercial production.

                      The laboratory-created rice produces some of the human proteins found in breast milk and saliva.

                      Its U.S. developers say they could be used to treat children with diarrhoea, a major killer in the Third World.

                      The rice is a […]

                        GM Alfalfa: What’s Happening Now – Time for consumers to vote with their dollars by buying organic

                        by George L. Siemon, Organic Valley CEO on January 25, 2011
                        UPDATE Friday, January 28:
                        Yesterday, the USDA announced its decision to allow the commercial sale of Roundup Ready® Alfalfa throughout the United States. I personally have been involved in the fight against GMOs for many years and was very disappointed that the biotech industry once again […]

                          Monsanto’s Roundup Triggers Over 40 Plant Diseases and Endangers Human and Animal Health

                          by Jeffrey M. Smith – posted on NaturalNews
                          The following article reveals the devastating and unprecedented impact that Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide is having on the health of our soil, plants, animals, and human population.

                          On top of this perfect storm, the USDA now wants to approve Roundup Ready alfalfa, which will exacerbate this calamity.Please tell USDA […]

                            Biotech Industry Spends More Than Half a Billion Dollars to Influence Congress

                            by Food & Water Watch

                            Since 1999, the 50 largest agricultural and food patentholdingcompanies and two of the largest biotechnology andagrochemical trade associations have spent more than $572million in campaign contributions and lobbying expenditures,according to a new analysis by Food & Water Watch.The companies and trade associations have hired a bevyof well-connected lobbying shops — […]

                              USDA Approves GM Alfalfa: What You Can Do

                              by Becky Striepe
                              USDA approved Monsanto’s genetically modified alfalfa today.
                              The problem with GM alfalfa goes beyond the usual issues with GM crops. Since alfalfa cross-pollinates easily, this genetically engineered crop is guaranteed to contaminate organic crops. If you oppose GM alfalfa, you can send a letter to President Obama urging him to stop this approval.

                              Update: Our friends […]

                                USDA approves GMO alfalfa; CFS to sue

                                by Food Freedom

                                US Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, just approved widespread planting of genetically modified alfalfa. The Center for Food Safety plans to sue and Food & Water Watch would like you send a letter to Obama to reverse the decision.

                                The Center for Food Safety criticized the announcement today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) […]

                                  Mexico Says ‘No’ to Monsanto

                                  by Jeannie Moulton
                                  The Mexican government denied Monsanto’s request to expand its pilot project in northern Mexico.  The request was rejected because the government says additional tests and studies need to be carried out to determine the effect of genetically modified corn on native corn species.
                                  Importance of corn varieties in Mexico and elsewhere
                                  With the fears […]

                                    In stunning reversal, USDA chief Vilsack greenlights Monsanto’s alfalfa

                                    by Beth Buczynski
                                    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announed today that it will once again allow unlimited, nation-wide commercial planting of Monsanto’s genetically-engineered (GE) Roundup Ready alfalfa.

                                    The decision comes as a shock to many after the USDA admitted that GE alfalfa poses many risks to organic and conventional farmers in its Final Environmental Impact Statement […]

                                      Haitians Burn Seeds Donated by Monsanto to Protect their Native Maize Seed

                                      by Ryan Stock
                                      Rural Haitian farmers gathered in Papaye, June 4, 2010. Many wore straw hats reading, “Aba Monsanto – down with Monsanto and Aba Preval – down with Preval.” (Photo: mediahacker)
                                      Let It Burn

                                      “A fabulous Easter gift,” commented Monsanto Director of Development Initiatives Elizabeth Vancil. Nearly 60,000 seed sacks of hybrid corn seeds and other vegetable […]

                                        China boosts funds for public debate on GM crops

                                        by Li Jiao

                                        [BEIJING] Scientists in China have been given government funding to discuss genetically modified (GM) crops with the public following protests against the technology.

                                        The ministry of agriculture has made available 2.6 million yuan (US$400,000) since late last year, and some communication on GM crop science has now started.

                                        Buoyed by high-level support from China’s premier, Wen Jiabao, […]