Monsanto's Enforcers and Bayer's Bee Killers
Ronnie Cummins Organic Consumers Association
Vermont Surrenders
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin has less than two weeks to either stand with the 90% of his constituents who support a mandatory labeling bill for genetically engineered foods - or cave in to Monsanto's threat to sue the state if legislators pass H.722.
The bill that once appeared destined to pass on the merits of scientific evidence, overwhelming public support, and support of the majority of Vermont's progressive legislators, now appears doomed - unless Vermont voters succeed in changing the Governor's mind.
If the Governor's words this past week are any indication, he's already surrendered to Monsanto. But Vermonters, not known for backing down from a fight, are challenging legislators to take on the biotech industry. They're even offering to raise money for the state's defense.
Support the Legal Defense Fund
Monsanto's Enforcers
In the U.S., Monsanto has threatened to sue states like Vermont if they pass laws that require labels on genetically engineered food and ban the routine industry practice of labeling or marketing GMO-tainted foods as "natural" or "all natural."
In the U.S. and Canada, Monsanto has sued more than 150 farmers and threatened thousands of others, for refusing to pay for "intellectual property theft" after their fields were contaminated by Monsanto's patented genetically engineered crops.
In Argentina, thugs assaulted a well-known scientist, Andres Carrasco, who had carried out experiments demonstrating the extreme toxicity of Monsanto's herbicide, Roundup.
In Argentina, industry-hired gunmen invaded the homes of activist mothers, threatening them for trying to stop their children from being poisoned by the massive aerial spraying of herbicides on Monsanto's genetically engineered soybeans.
Please take action in solidarity with Argentinian activist Sofia Gatica who was visited by an armed man who warned her not to "screw around with the soybeans" when she launched a campaign to ban Monsanto's Roundup-resistant soybeans, after her 3-day-old daughter died of kidney failure from pesticide poisoning.
Ban Monsanto's Birth-Defect Causing RoundUp!
No Agent Orange Corn! Take Action Before April 27th
Save the Bees! Ban Bayer's Poison Pesticide!
Commercial beekeepers have filed an emergency legal petition with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to suspend use of a pesticide that is linked to massive honey bee deaths. The legal petition, which specifies Bayer's neonicotinoid pesticide clothianidin, is backed by over one million citizen petition signatures. Add your voice and learn how to protect your neighborhood bees.
Take Action:
Support the Organic Revolution! Stop the Biotech Bullies!
OCA and our lobbying ally, the Organic Consumers Fund, put our money where our mouth is. With the 2012 California Ballot Initiative, and GMO labeling legislation gaining momentum in Vermont, Connecticut, Hawaii and other states, we have a real chance to hit Monsanto, corporate agribusiness, and the supermarket chains with the skull and crossbones they fear so much: mandatory labels on genetically engineered food, and a ban on the industry practice of marketing billions of dollars of GMO-tainted foods as "natural." At the same time we are continuing our struggle to strengthen organic standards and significantly expand the market for organic food and products, especially those produced locally and regionally; while warning consumers about the dangers of junk food and chemical agriculture.
Please Donate to the Organic Consumers Association (tax-deductible)
Please Donate to the Organic Consumers Fund (non-tax-deductible, but necessary for our legislative efforts in California and other states)
Genetic Crimes Unit to Protest Monsanto/FDA Enforcer Michael Taylor at the Food Safety Summit
There is nothing safe about toxic pesticides & unlabeled genetically engineered foods. On April 19, 2012 the Occupy Monsanto Genetic Crimes Unit will protest outside of the Food Safety Summit at the Washington, DC, Convention Center.
Food safety activists will meet at 11:00am at the Mount Vernon Square / 7th Street / Convention Center Metro station (Yellow & Green Line at the corner of M Street & 7th Street, NW) and will call on FDA Commissioner Michael Taylor to resign.
Video of the Week
The Most Evil Chemical Company and the Second Richest Person in the World
In this video, Bill Aal (AGRAWatch) and Alexis Baden-Mayer (OCA) speak to the various national and global aspects of the genetically modified food industry and the concerns for farmers and agriculture here and around the world. Interwoven is the influence of Monsanto and the Gates Foundation, the "charity" of Bill Gates, the 2nd richest person in the world, in government agencies.
Control the Corporation!
Videos are online now from the day-long Control the Corporation conference, where OCA Political Director Alexis Baden-Mayer spoke on a panel titled, "Creating New Economic Models and Launching Initiatives."
Little Bytes: Top Stories of the Week
National: Organic Farmers Hope for Boost with Mandatory GMO Labels
California: Group Pushes November Ballot Initiative to Label Foods with GMOs
Connecticut: Labels for Altered Foods Win Backing in Connecticut
Oregon: Statewide Initiative to Label GMOs, County Initiatives to Ban Them
Vermont: Scores Testify in Favor of GE Food Labeling Bill
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ronniecummins@organicconsumers.org