(Crossposted from our sister blog, Red Green and Blue)
It’s not over yet. The Center for Food Safety has announced an immediate challenge to the USDA’s unregulated approval of Monsanto’s genetically-modified (GMO) alfalfa. Widespread GMO contamination of organic fields under the plan could lead to the end to our current system of organic food production.
“We’re disappointed with USDA’s decision and we will be back in court representing the interest of farmers, preservation of the environment, and consumer choice” said Andrew Kimbrell, Executive Director for the Center for Food Safety. “USDA has become a rogue agency in its regulation of biotech crops and its decision to appease the few companies who seek to benefit from this technology comes despite increasing evidence that GE alfalfa will threaten the rights of farmers and consumers, as well as damage the environment.”
- Controversy erupted over the weekend when Ronnie Cummins at the Organic Consumers Association attacked what he called “Big Organics” for siding with Big Agriculture over the health of consumers. He basically accused Whole Foods, Stonyfield Farms and others with being in bed with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Monsanto. (See: From Big Ag to Big Organics: Welcome to the Brave New World)
- The companies have fired back that on the contrary, they never caved to Monsanto, and in fact are prepared to continue the fight against GMOs. (See: Stonyfield Farm Takes a Swing at Monsanto (And the OCA)
What can you do?
- Make a donation to the Center for Food Safety, so that they can get the USDA and Monsanto back into court ASAP
- Support the Non-GMO project and use the resources they provide to keep GMO foods out of your shopping basket
Contacts:
- Tom Vilsack 202-720-3631
- President Obama 202-456-1111
- Monstanto 314-694-1000
More on GMOs and Monsanto:
- USDA Approves GM Alfalfa
- Monsanto’s Roundup Endangers Human Health
- Mexico Says ‘No’ to Monsanto
- Be Nice to Monsanto; They’re having a Bad Year
- Too Much of a Bad Thing: Monsanto Did NOT Buy Blackwater
(Alfalfa field image 
Some rights reserved by bug_girl_mi)
Len Aldis
This is good news, but would ask that the judge/s be asked if thye have any conflict of interest i.e. have they at any time worked for Monsanto.
Becky Striepe
Since Tom Vilsack, the US Secretary of Agriculture, used to work for Monsanto, I don’t think that anyone’s too concerned about conflicts of interest here unfortunately.
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jjdoublej
The Center for Food Safety is a joke. If they were really looking out for the well being of farmers and the environment, they would embrace GMO’s
Steve Savage
Jeremy,
Are you shooting for the “chicken little award?”
“Widespread GMO contamination of organic fields under the plan could lead to the end to our current system of organic food production.”
Can you explain how something in Alfalfa could possibly effect completely unrelated crops? Your statement here is pure fear-mongering. Are you good with that?
Steve
Paulita Abou-Aly
Hi Steve, I stumbled across this site and noticed your excellent question. Did you know Canada does not sell Roundup, not even online? Our relatives asked for a concentrated form of Roundup (so it would last longer, ha) I applaud Canada for having some scruples. I guess they realize since they have a national insurance, that a problem like contaminated grounds through pollination and ground water runoff will only come back to be a health issue that they will be held accountable for. I don’t blame them for their reluctance. Monsanto does not take no for an answer and I did not know Tom Vilsack is a former associate of Monsanto. A great site with additional information I liked was, http://responsibletechnology.org/
Paulita Abou-Aly
Thank you for staying on top of this. I just blogged about this and was doing searches on the most up to date information. Right now we have only Monsanto to deal with, but if they are successful there will be many more copycat companies doing the same. We must stop Monsanto with the alfalfa because our cows and cattle eat the alfalfa. Roundup is banned in Canada. We recently were asked by relatives to bring a concentrated form of Roundup because it was not available, even online in Canada. Go Canada! I will contact Tom Vilsack and President Obama. Things are tight financially, and I am sure you are well aware. I will give a donation also. Not only will the Organic Industry suffer, so will all of our health!