Sunday, February 27, 2011

Good Dirt - Mitchel Cohen, Sprayno

Pesticides Interview with Mitchel Cohen, Sprayno
Good Dirt Radio


http://www.gooddirtradio.org/story_archives/audio/no_spray.mp3

Mitchel Cohen of Sprayno was interviewed. A strong voice and presence, one whose effective leadership and advocacy have led to change that has been of significant benefit. Do give a listen... join the dialogue...

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

EU Farmers Ditch GM Crops, Industry Figures Show Drop in Cultivation

Europe is ditching GMO and President Obama is approving - go figure - where are the payoffs between Monsanto and our United States government? NOT good policy Mr. President - not good at all - our health and well being are at risk here!!! Come on US people let President Obama hear your call... NO NO to GMO.

Stefanie Hundsdorfer – Greenpeace EU agriculture policy adviser: +32 (0)496 161582 (mobile), stefanie.hundsdorfer@greenpeace.org Mark Breddy – Greenpeace EU communications manager: +32 (0)496 156229 (mobile), mark.breddy@greenpeace.org

Saturday, February 19, 2011

La Vida Locavore:: Researcher: Glyphosate (Roundup) or Roundup Ready Crops May Cause Animal Miscarriages

La Vida Locavore:: Researcher: Glyphosate (Roundup) or Roundup Ready Crops May Cause Animal Miscarriages

by: Jill Richardson

Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 14:54:30 PM PST


"A bombshell has been quietly dropped on the website of the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance. I should disclose, upfront, that the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA) is founded and run by my close friend Judith McGeary. Said bombshell is an open letter written by Dr. Don Huber, professor emeritus at Purdue University, to Tom Vilsack, presenting a finding of a correlation between either glyphosate or Roundup Ready crops and a new, previously unknown organism that may be the cause of animal miscarriages and infertility.

As the letter, printed below, notes, this research is still preliminary. However, Huber, who has 40 years experience working as a scientist for "professional and military agencies that evaluate and prepare for natural and manmade biological threats, including germ warfare and disease outbreaks," believes this should be treated as an emergency until more research can confirm or disprove these initial findings.

Needless to say, the recent deregulation of GE alfalfa is something to think about, because that will dramatically increase the use of Roundup on animal feed and the feeding of Roundup Ready crops to our livestock. There is more to be said on this, but I want to tread carefully and stick to facts that I can confirm, so stay tuned."


Jill Richardson :: Researcher: Glyphosate (Roundup) or Roundup Ready Crops May Cause Animal Miscarriages
Dear Secretary Vilsack:

A team of senior plant and animal scientists have recently brought to my attention the discovery of an electron microscopic pathogen that appears to significantly impact the health of plants, animals, and probably human beings. Based on a review of the data, it is widespread, very serious, and is in much higher concentrations in Roundup Ready (RR) soybeans and corn-suggesting a link with the RR gene or more likely the presence of Roundup. This organism appears NEW to science!

This is highly sensitive information that could result in a collapse of US soy and corn export markets and significant disruption of domestic food and feed supplies. On the other hand, this new organism may already be responsible for significant harm (see below). My colleagues and I are therefore moving our investigation forward with speed and discretion, and seek assistance from the USDA and other entities to identify the pathogen's source, prevalence, implications, and remedies.

We are informing the USDA of our findings at this early stage, specifically due to your pending decision regarding approval of RR alfalfa. Naturally, if either the RR gene or Roundup itself is a promoter or co-factor of this pathogen, then such approval could be a calamity. Based on the current evidence, the only reasonable action at this time would be to delay deregulation at least until sufficient data has exonerated the RR system, if it does.

For the past 40 years, I have been a scientist in the professional and military agencies that evaluate and prepare for natural and manmade biological threats, including germ warfare and disease outbreaks. Based on this experience, I believe the threat we are facing from this pathogen is unique and of a high risk status. In layman's terms, it should be treated as an emergency.

A diverse set of researchers working on this problem have contributed various pieces of the puzzle, which together presents the following disturbing scenario:

Unique Physical Properties

This previously unknown organism is only visible under an electron microscope (36,000X), with an approximate size range equal to a medium size virus. It is able to reproduce and appears to be a micro-fungal-like organism. If so, it would be the first such micro-fungus ever identified. There is strong evidence that this infectious agent promotes diseases of both plants and mammals, which is very rare.

Pathogen Location and Concentration

It is found in high concentrations in Roundup Ready soybean meal and corn, distillers meal, fermentation feed products, pig stomach contents, and pig and cattle placentas.

Linked with Outbreaks of Plant Disease

The organism is prolific in plants infected with two pervasive diseases that are driving down yields and farmer income-sudden death syndrome (SDS) in soy, and Goss' wilt in corn. The pathogen is also found in the fungal causative agent of SDS (Fusarium solani fsp glycines).

Implicated in Animal Reproductive Failure

Laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of this organism in a wide variety of livestock that have experienced spontaneous abortions and infertility. Preliminary results from ongoing research have also been able to reproduce abortions in a clinical setting.

The pathogen may explain the escalating frequency of infertility and spontaneous abortions over the past few years in US cattle, dairy, swine, and horse operations. These include recent reports of infertility rates in dairy heifers of over 20%, and spontaneous abortions in cattle as high as 45%.

For example, 450 of 1,000 pregnant heifers fed wheatlege experienced spontaneous abortions. Over the same period, another 1,000 heifers from the same herd that were raised on hay had no abortions. High concentrations of the pathogen were confirmed on the wheatlege, which likely had been under weed management using glyphosate.

Recommendations

In summary, because of the high titer of this new animal pathogen in Roundup Ready crops, and its association with plant and animal diseases that are reaching epidemic proportions, we request USDA's participation in a multi-agency investigation, and an immediate moratorium on the deregulation of RR crops until the causal/predisposing relationship with glyphosate and/or RR plants can be ruled out as a threat to crop and animal production and human health.

It is urgent to examine whether the side-effects of glyphosate use may have facilitated the growth of this pathogen, or allowed it to cause greater harm to weakened plant and animal hosts. It is well-documented that glyphosate promotes soil pathogens and is already implicated with the increase of more than 40 plant diseases; it dismantles plant defenses by chelating vital nutrients; and it reduces the bioavailability of nutrients in feed, which in turn can cause animal disorders. To properly evaluate these factors, we request access to the relevant USDA data.

I have studied plant pathogens for more than 50 years. We are now seeing an unprecedented trend of increasing plant and animal diseases and disorders. This pathogen may be instrumental to understanding and solving this problem. It deserves immediate attention with significant resources to avoid a general collapse of our critical agricultural infrastructure.

Sincerely,

COL (Ret.) Don M. Huber
Emeritus Professor, Purdue University
APS Coordinator, USDA National Plant Disease Recovery System (NPDRS)


Research has been ongoing: Russian Scientists Prove Genetically Modified Foods are Harmful, Suggest Ban on GM Foods: http://www.infiniteunknown.net/2010/04/27/russian-scientists-prove-genetically-modified-foods-are-harmful-suggest-ban-on-gm-foods/



Friday, February 11, 2011

USDA Approves Use of Genetically Engineered Corn for Ethanol

USDA Approves Use of
Genetically Engineered Corn for Ethanol

http://www.foe.org/usda-approves-use-genetically-engineered-corn-ethanol


For Immediate Release
February 11, 2011

Contact:
Nick Berning, 202-222-0748, nberning@foe.org
Kelly Trout, 202-222-0722, ktrout@foe.org

USDA Approves Use of Genetically Engineered Corn for Ethanol

Decision risks contamination of human food supply and threatens environment

Obama administration criticized for reckless boosting of dirty corn ethanol industry

"WASHINGTON, D.C.--The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today that it has approved a form of genetically engineered corn created by the biotechnology corporation Syngenta Seeds, Inc. for use in ethanol production.

The USDA deregulated the crop, meaning it is not subject to a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement or any restrictions on where and how it can be planted.

Eric Hoffman, biotechnology policy campaigner at Friends of the Earth, criticized the USDA’s decision as “an irresponsible move that puts the interests of the biotechnology and polluting corn ethanol industries above public health and our environment.”

Hoffman warned, “This new strain of genetically engineered corn is not meant for human consumption, but, as we learned in the StarLink corn fiasco, contamination is bound to happen. The USDA decision threatens the safety of our food supply and the biodiversity of American agriculture.”

Eleven years ago, Friends of the Earth discovered that StarLink corn, which was not approved for human consumption, had contaminated the U.S. food supply. This discovery resulted in the recall of tens of millions of supermarket items. In 2003, a group of farmers was awarded a $110 million settlement due to the loss of foreign markets because of StarLink contamination.

Syngenta engineered its corn variety to more easily break down corn starch for ethanol production.

Kate McMahon, biofuels campaign coordinator at Friends of the Earth, noted, “This type of genetically engineered corn would have no reason to exist if it were not for the massive mandate for biofuels consumption passed by Congress in 2007.”

The Renewable Fuel Standard, the law passed by Congress in 2007, requires the consumption of 36 billion gallons of ethanol by 2022, 15 billion gallons of which is projected to be met with corn ethanol. The Environmental Protection Agency recently released a report detailing the harmful impacts that this law continues to have on water, soil and air quality.

McMahon concluded, “The Obama administration is giving the green light to dirty and dangerous forms of corn ethanol despite significant health, food security and environmental concerns. Instead of continuing to risk the health of people and the planet, we should reexamine the existence of the biofuel mandate.”


Friends of the Earth and our network of grassroots groups in 76 countries fight to create a more healthy, just world. Our current campaigns focus on clean energy and solutions to climate change, keeping toxic and risky technologies out of the food we eat and products we use, and protecting marine ecosystems and the people who live and work near them."


Organic Consumers Association: Millions Against Monsanto Campaign

Join the Campaigns - Take an Active Role
Your Well Being is at Stake


It is most distressing to live your double messages, President Obama. You speak of need to improve diet and nutrition and yet you approve of contamination, increased pesticide infiltration of seed and food. How do you reconcile such contradictory platforms?

Mercola Interview, Obama Betrayal, Do It Yourself Labeling

#263, February 10, 2011

In this issue:

Interview of the Week: Dr. Mercola Interviews OCA Director
Millions Against Monsanto Alert: Obama's USDA Betrays Organics Again
Announcing the First Millions Against Monsanto Truth-in-Labeling Webinar!
Millions Against Monsanto Actions: Do-It-Yourself GMO Labels & Facebook Causes
Censored Story of the Week: Monsanto Nation
Fair World Project News: Free Publication and Fair World Tours
OCA International: Via Organica's Zero Waste Club
Don't Forget to Take Action...
Unchain Your Heart! Give Fair Trade & Organic This Valentine's Day
Little Bytes

Webinar of the Week

Announcing the First Millions Against Monsanto Truth-in-Labeling Webinar!

Natural News' Mike Adams joins OCA director Ronnie Cummins for a live discussion on the myth of "coexistence" between organics and GMOs, and how grassroots action and truth-in-labeling can start to drive Monsanto's genetically engineered crops and foods off the market. This is the first in a series.

When: February 24th, 2011, 7pm Central Time

Registration for this free event is limited. Go to http://www.organicconsumers.org/monsanto/
for more information and to register.

Forums are present, the opportunity for your input exists, change depends upon collective and supportive participation.


Saturday, February 5, 2011

NO NO to GMO Alfalfa


play time in our organic alfalfa field
photo source: www.lavalakelamb


NO NO to GMO Alfalfa


Air, water, food, the sustenance for breath, for life. When compromised, polluted, when the integrity of nature's balance is violated, life itself is violated. As an educator, activist and an environmentalist, I have seen, read, been told, and personally experienced, the devastation of health brought about by toxins, pollutants, and pesticides. A food, a seed, genetically engineered to be grown with an infusion of pesticides is in violation of the balance nature has gifted to us. I say 'us' for seed is not to be under the exclusive domain of any corporation, any government power, any regime of control.

Utter dismay, deep disappointment, and profound disillusionment have come forward in response to the 'go ahead' decision of the USDA to allow GMO alfalfa. The approval by President Obama MUST BE RESCINDED. This is not an expression of a political position. This is an expression of NEED that is not defined by party allegiance, but defined by the present and future well being of all humanity.

It is this very issue that has prompted the initiation of this blog, The APOGEE Forum. Postings on FaceBook, petition requests, alerts, reported proceedings in regard to the proposed approval and subsequent approval have been put forth in abundance. Organizations, parent groups, farm groups, and individual citizens, in great number have voiced their position and their resounding plea NOT TO APPROVE GMO Alfalfa. A deaf ear has been turned to this hue and cry by the USDA and President Obama. It is not a silenced plea. It will continue to gain momentum. Right intention shall prevail.

Avail yourself of the information presented and the means of contact in the links provided. Join the discussion, and most importantly allow your voice, your stand, your position to be heard. NO to GMO!

Your comments are so very welcomed. Thank you for caring.

Rose Marie Raccioppi


Background Information:

Genetically Modified Food - GM Foods List and Information:
http://www.disabled-world.com/fitness/gm-foods.php

Information and Links:

U.S. looks to Monsanto to feed the world | Pesticide Action Network
http://www.panna.org/blog/us-looks-monsanto-feed-world

What the Heck Happened? The Politics of GM Alfalfa Explained | | AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/story/149800/what_the_heck_happened_the_politics_of_gm_alfalfa_explained?page=entire

Food Democracy Now | Obama Goes Rogue on GMOs - Tell him to say NO to Monsanto
Tell President Obama not to cave to Monsanto!
Broken promises - misguided allegiance... VOICE/PETITION your objection to Monsanto's GMO planting planned this Spring. Call for the Precautionary Principle. Our children deserve our Action to protect the natural order of seed. Link to sign!
http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/338?akid=296.91872.WWUxlT&t=7

"Unbelievably, over the past 12 days the Obama administration has approved not one, but two of Monsanto's Round Up Ready genetically modified (GMO) crops. On Thursday January 27th, the USDA made the decision, under the directive of the White House, to fully deregulate Roundup Ready alfalfa, followed by the partial deregulation of Roundup Ready sugar beets this past Friday, opening the door for the planting of both of these GMO crops this spring.

Together, these decisions send a clear signal that the Obama administration has abandoned all objectivity and scientific scrutiny when it comes to regulating biotech crops and has adopted a policy of rapid approval in order to overcome growing public outrage and concern about the harmful effects that Monsanto’s monopoly power has on family farmers, American citizens, our common environment and our democracy.

We need to continue to stand up to this influence in the halls of power of the United States. If you haven't signed this letter telling Obama to rescind the decision for deregulation of GMO crops, now is the time. Tell President Obama it’s time to put family farmers, our food security and America’s citizens over Monsanto’s bottom line".
http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/338?akid=296.91872.WWUxlT&t=7


USDA Completely Deregulates Genetically Engineered Alfalfa—It is Time to Demand Congressional Hearings! (Action Alert)
Posted article: http://www.anh-usa.org/usda-completely-deregulates-genetically-engineered-alfalfa-it-is-time-to-demand-congressional-hearings-action-alert/
February 1, 2011

"Let’s really put the pressure on! Let the USDA and your senators and representative know there’s a steep political price for this decision, which if left unchanged, will have devastating consequences for organic agriculture.

On January 27, the US Department of Agriculture reached a decision on genetically engineered Roundup Ready® alfalfa, having reached the end of the review period for the environmental impact statement (EIS). Out of the three possible options—regulation, partial deregulation, and complete deregulation—the USDA chose the worst possible option: full non-regulated status.

This was unexpected news, as the USDA had been hinting that it would partially deregulate. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack previously suggested that the agency would “pursue compromise.”

There is evidence that the USDA was subjected to intense lobbying by Monsanto at the last minute, and possible collusion with Monsanto by the White House. According to Food Safety News, “Sources familiar with the negotiations at the USDA…believe the White House asked Vilsack to drop proposed regulations so the Administration would appear more friendly to business.”

Deregulation is dangerous. Without regulation, GM alfalfa will encroach on non-GM alfalfa, irretrievably contaminating it. There have already been over 200 episodes of transgenic contamination, costing farmers hundreds of millions of dollars in lost sales. If genetically engineered crops spread, the word “organic” will be virtually meaningless, affecting crops, the cattle who eat the alfalfa, and consumers who eat both.

Moreover, Roundup Ready® alfalfa will substantially increase herbicide use. The USDA’s own data shows that just 7% of alfalfa acres are currently treated with herbicides. USDA’s projections in the EIS show that substantial adoption of Roundup Ready®increases in herbicide use of up to 23 million pounds per year. alfalfa would trigger

Where do we go from here? We have to take our stand right here, with GMO alfalfa, because it cannot be contained. It will contaminate other crops. We believe a multi-pronged approach has the best chance of overturning this disastrous decision:

The Center for Food Safety has announced it will file a lawsuit against the USDA over the decision, and ANH-USA will try to become a co-plaintiff in that suit.

We need to blanket Congress with protests, asking senators and representatives and oversight committees to review the deregulation decision. We want to mount a massive grassroots campaign to show Congress that there is a steep political price to be paid for supporting genetically engineered organisms, especially alfalfa which cannot be contained. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) have issued a statement condemning the USDA decision, so we are not alone in our desire to see this reversed.

And we need to put pressure on the USDA and the Obama administration. They need to understand how angry American citizens are, and why we feel so betrayed. It is time for crony capitalism to end.

In 1781, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny.”

Our Action Alert will take you to a letter you can send to the decision-makers: your president, your senators, your representative, and the USDA. Please take what we’ve written and add your own thoughts. Pour out your thoughts and make your voice heard. Show them we will not allow the government to poison us and our children with frankenfoods. Please contact them today! "

TO SEND YOUR MESSAGE TO THE PRESIDENT,
CONGRESS, AND THE USDA


Click https://secure3.convio.net/aahf/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=656 to go to the Action Alert page. Once there, fill out the form with your name and address, etc., and customize your letter. We have a suggested message for you, but please feel free to add your own comments to the letter.

Help Needed:

If you're interesting in helping organize or coordinate a Millions Against Monsanto and Factory Farms Truth-in-Labeling campaign in your local community, sign up here: http://www.organicconsumers.org/oca-volunteer/

To pressure Whole Foods Market... and the nation's largest supermarket chains to voluntarily adopt truth-in-labeling practices sign here, and circulate this petition widely: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_22309.cfm