Monthly Archives November 2014

Sneaky Pro-Monsanto Law in African Nation of Almost 26 Million Faces New Setback

Sneaky Pro-Monsanto Law in African Nation of Almost 26 Million Faces New Setback

by | November 28, 2014

While the eyes of most of the nation were focused on World Cup soccer action in Brazil last summer, Monsanto and other large multi-nationals were maneuvering behind the scenes to gain access to Ghana through new seed rules designed to open the doors to a host of huge agribusinesses. But now, the country’s Plant Breeder’s Bill giving intellectual property rights that would allow such companies to patent seed varieties they lay claim to is under intense scrutiny, according to this article from the World Development Movement’s website, which could threaten its passage in the African nation of almost 26 million people. The article notes that the government had hoped to keep the bill under the radar, [...]
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WASHINGTON D.C. Rally for our Right to GMO Labels!

WASHINGTON D.C. Rally for our Right to GMO Labels!

by | November 25, 2014

OCA: WASHINGTON D.C.: Rally for our Right to GMO Labels! Organic Consumers Association Wed, Dec 10, 2014 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM WASHINGTON D.C.: Rally for our Right to GMO Labels! The GMO labeling movement won big in Vermont this year. And we may still win in Oregon, once all the votes are in. But those laws will be nullified, and we will lose the right to pass any future state or federal mandatory GMO labeling laws, if Congress passes H.R. 4432, a bill to preempt mandatory GMO labeling laws. H.R. 4432—the DARK (Deny Americans the Right to Know) ACT—was introduced by Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) at the bidding of Monsanto, Big Food and the Koch Brothers. We need to [...]
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World Soil Day Fast Approaching: Why We Need Organic Agriculture More Than Ever

World Soil Day Fast Approaching: Why We Need Organic Agriculture More Than Ever

by | November 24, 2014

There are plenty of reasons to go organic that millions of people are discovering and re-discovering every day, ranging from less toxic chemicals in their food to more antioxidants. But one aspect of the benefits of organic (read: truly sustainable) agriculture is that it helps preserve and replenish the soil over time in ways that “conventional farming” can’t match. In fact, the over-reliance on such “conventional” methods is actually a contributing factor to the ongoing depletion of our soil.  According to a new video (see the bottom of this article), released by the Food and Agriculture Association of the United Nations, “unhealthy agriculture practices” are just one of the reasons [...]
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Breaking: Oregon GMO Labeling Likely Headed for Recount

Breaking: Oregon GMO Labeling Likely Headed for Recount

by | November 20, 2014

GMO ballot measure ‘too close to call’ Despite a massive discrepancy in ad spending in favor of pro-GMO corporations, the “Yes” side of Oregon’s GMO labeling Measure 92 has made up ground, and the race is now considered to be “too close to call” according political analyst Tim Hibbitts of the FOX 12 news station in Beaverton, Oregon. While the “No” side of the GMO labeling bill had a leg up in votes after Election Night, the Yes on 92 campaign never conceded the race and has been watching its numbers grow ever since. The campaign has been reaching out to some 13,000 voters whose ballots were not counted due to signature problems, the FOX 12 article said. “The only [...]
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World’s Largest GMO Health Study, ‘Factor GMO,’ Set to Be Launched by Russian Organization, International Scientists

World’s Largest GMO Health Study, ‘Factor GMO,’ Set to Be Launched by Russian Organization, International Scientists

by | November 20, 2014

One of the biggest problems many activists have with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in our food system is the lack of long-term, independent testing, but one newly announced study could help fill that hole by providing much-needed additional evidence.  The study, to be titled ‘Factor GMO,’ is set to launch on behalf of a Russian non governmental organization and a team of international scientists. The entire project will cost about $25 million and last for three years, and will involve thousands of rats fed different diets comprised of Monsanto’s genetically modified maize, as well as Roundup, the highly controversial herbicide that is sprayed on the crops in large amounts.  The announcement [...]
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Seeking to “Avoid an Extended Legal Battle,” Monsanto to Pay $2.4 Million to Wheat Farmers Over GMO Contamination

Seeking to “Avoid an Extended Legal Battle,” Monsanto to Pay $2.4 Million to Wheat Farmers Over GMO Contamination

by | November 18, 2014

Saying that it hoped to avoid an “extended legal battle,” the Monsanto company has agreed to pony up a couple million dollars to settle with wheat farmers over crops that were contaminated by genetically modified wheat. The farmers, based in the Pacific Northwest, will be compensated nearly $2.4 million to settle a dispute with the St. Louis-based agrochemical giant after GMO wheat was found in Oregon fields in 2013. What made the discovery so perplexing was that GMO wheat has not even been approved for commercial U.S. farming as of yet, but it still found its way into the farmers’ crops, most likely from experimental test plots. As is often the case with issues of GMO contamination, foreign [...]
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The Link Between GMOs And Morgellons Disease

The Link Between GMOs And Morgellons Disease

by | November 2, 2014

Morgellons Disease sufferers report strange, fiber-like material sticking out of sores or wounds that erupt on the skin. This is accompanied by painful, intense itching, that has been described as “an ever present sensation as if something is crawling under the skin. Very little can be found regarding this disease. Originally, sufferers were told that their problem was imaginary. This was of little comfort to the people who were suffering. Little information has been revealed concerning the long-term health effects of GMO crops on humans or animals, and even less information can be had regarding research correlating Morgellons with GMO foods. This is suspicious right off the bat, because it would seem that there [...]
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Grassroots To Conquer Goliath Pro-GMO Campaign? Colorado 105 Vote This Week

Grassroots To Conquer Goliath Pro-GMO Campaign? Colorado 105 Vote This Week

by | November 1, 2014

In Colorado, anti-labeling forces have pumped nearly $10 million into the state to try to defeat a grassroots initiative with less than $1 million in funding. The corporations trying to kill Prop. 105 include just a handful of out-of-state, multinational pesticide and junk food companies pumping millions into Colorado to control the election include Monsanto, Pepsico, Kraft Foods, General Mills, Smuckers, Dow, Conagra, Welch’s, Pioneer/Dupont, and others that are hooked on the GMO treadmill and don’t want to get off. These companies are more concerned with protecting their profits over consumers. In fact, this coalition has spent more than $100 million over the past three years to defeat state campaigns and [...]
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