Posted on 03/07/2009 10:39:24 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
Some say that if farmers dont want problems from Monsanto, the simply shouldnt buy Monsantos GMO seeds. But it isnt quite that simple. Monsanto contaminates the fields, trespasses onto the land taking samples, and then sues, saying they own the crop.
Meanwhile, Monsanto is taking many other steps to keep farmers and everyone else from having any access at all to buying, collecting, and saving of normal seeds:
1. Theyve bought up the seed companies across the Midwest.
2. Theyve written Monsanto seed laws and gotten legislators to put them through, that make cleaning, collecting and storing of seeds so onerous in terms of fees and paperwork that having normal seed becomes almost impossible.
3. Monsanto is pushing laws that ensure that farmers and citizens cant block the planting of GMO crops even if they can contaminate other crops.
4. There are Monsanto regulations buried in the FDA rules that make a farmers seed cleaning equipment illegal because its now considered a source of seed contamination.
Monsanto has sued more than 1500 farmers whose fields had simply been contaminated by GM crops.
Sources:
Surviving the Middle Class Crash February 5, 2009
And if you go to the source of their article:
Dr. Mercola @ mercola.com
He advocates forsaking traditional methods and coming to his clinic.
Dr. Mercola’s Natural Health Center
The existing medical establishment is responsible for killing and permanently injuring millions of Americans, but the surging numbers of visitors to Mercola.com since I began the site in 1997 - we are now routinely among the top 10 health sites on the Internet - convinces me that you, too, are fed up with their deception. You want practical health solutions without the hype, and that’s what I offer.
Thanks for the ping...I recall hearing about some companies attempting to do this several years ago.
I don’t remember this being an element of that story (though it’s been a few decades), but I remember some other recent (last year or two) novella in which actions like this were central. Probably was in one of Dozois’ annual anthologies.
I have done a lot of research and the stuff you are putting out is just junk science promoted by lefties and Greenpeace, plus PETA is a big supporter, as you mention.
Exactly, and this whole premise that “thousands” of farmers have been sued is just dumb.
Gardening PING.........
I was discussing something along the lines with someone earlier today, and this is definitely something any gardener/farmer of any stripe needs to keep an eye on.
I’m not real familiar with the 2 pieces of legislation that Smokin’ Joe links in his post #5 on this thread, but I have started reading. I long ago learned not to blow off out of hand anything posted by either Smokin’ Joe or Calpernia, and both are extremely well informed on this particular topic.
I have to believe you are a member of Greenpeace.
It’s all too funny! What does a Monsanto look like, and can I shoot it if I find one in my garden?
How does genetically altered/sterile seed contaminate my field?
How does the Monsanto identify stolen seed if they refuse to label it?
If the seed contains human DNA, and I eat enough of it, will I turn into a liberal...?
Real life is so boring.....
Well is it supported by Greenpeace and Peta.
Great post, the lack of knowledge of science on this thread is stunning.
That's your entire rebuttal?
To attack the source?
You do realize that that is the exact same way the Global Warming Cheerleaders act, don't you?
Prove to me that anything there is a lie.
If it is a lie, it shouldn't be that hards.
Whether the author is opposed to GM foods or not, the article does suggest the good point that others here have raised, that the control of the world’s food supply is in the hands of these folks who own the heirloom seeds.
I can’t eat a lot of veggies because of food allergies, but my family can and I’m going to be buying what I can that I can save seeds from.
I buy seeds from Territorial Seed Co and they sell many varieties which are labeled OP for Open Pollinated. I called them and asked and they told me that the OP varieties will breed true as long as they are not contaminated by another one nearby and that you can save the seeds from them.
I’m carefully planning my plantings of veggies so that I don’t get cross pollination within my garden. I like sugar peas and regular peas so I’m planting the varieties so that they reach maturity at different times.
http://www.territorialseed.com/
See post 72.
Thanks for the link....
Didn’t you read about the heirloom varieties? They’re trying to control those as well.
For that matter, what’s your job at Monsanto that you’re such a PR guy for them?
Just fyi - According to their website Heirloom seeds (link at the post) is no longer accepting orders for this year (due to high amount of orders already placed).
I have ordered from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and have been very pleased with their product and service.
ping-a-ling
There seem to be quite a few around here, my friend who do not understand our desire to continue with our heirloom seeds.
I have no problem with hybrids, I plant many of them, along with my heirlooms. My problem is with the hybrid seed manufacturers having a problem with my use of heirlooms and using their power (thru $$$$) to dictate what I can and cannot plant in my garden.
This whole thing has been a orchestrated campaign for the past 10 years, led mainly by Greenpeace, but including other "green" group like Friends (Fiends) of Earth to ban GM food. It is also promoted by the organic crowd (and this is, in itself, becoming big business with companies like Whole Foods). PETA jumped on the bandwagon because they really want to ban all meat and go to organic crops.
If you do a little Google search you can find 1000’s of articles like you posted going back 10 years claiming how evil Monsanto is —it is the number 1 hated company by the anti-GM and organic groupies.
It is hopeless trying to convince people with science and also about real farming techniques (we have farms in our family), because the people who believe this stuff belong to a religious movement (or, are trying to make money by promoting organic crops) and it is faith based, just like the Global Warming crowd. In fact, you will find a high percentage of Global Warming people are also part of the anti-GM, organic crop religious zealot movement.
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