Victory for Monsanto
Emma Pullman, SumOfUs
Breaking news: A judge has just overturned Mexico's ban on the planting of GMO corn.
Mexico is the country where corn -- or maize -- was first planted more than 8,000 years ago. And since 2013, Monsanto and other biotech giants have been banned from bringing their brand of pesticide-soaked, genetically engineered corn farming to Mexico.
But after dozens of appeals filed by an army of industry lawyers, a judge overturned the ban. It opens the door for Monsanto's corporate takeover of Mexico's corn seed supply.
The good news is that an appeal was filed, temporarily stopping Monsanto from moving into Mexico. But it’s clear Monsanto is on the verge of getting its way -- unless we all speak out.
Will you chip in to tell Monsanto: Keep your genetically engineered corn out of Mexico?
As the country where corn originated, Mexico has an amazing array of native corn varieties and biodiversity. Generations of small farmers have relied on corn for their livelihood. Nothing is more fundamental to Mexican culture than corn.
But all of that is threatened by Monsanto’s efforts to monopolize food production in Mexico, as it has in so many other countries. We've seen it happen before -- Monsanto seeds were introduced to India's cotton farms. Now they dominate 95% of India's seeds in the cotton industry.
For years, a coalition of Mexican farmers and citizens has fought Monsanto to defend their use of native seeds and 8,000-year-old farming tradition.
Now all of that is in danger. But SumOfUs is standing with them -- and bringing our global network of millions of members to stand up to Monsanto’s multinational power. Will you chip in today?
Thanks,
Emma, Liz, Rosa, Angus, and the rest of the SumOfUs team.
**********
More Information:
Help Mexico Beat Monsanto, GMO Free USA, accessed August 26, 2015
Judge Overturns Mexico GMO Maize Ban in Tragic Ruling, Sustainable Pulse, August 20, 2015