This is a guest post from Jeffrey Smith at the Institute for Responsible Technology
The following article reveals the devastating and unprecedented impact that Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide is having on the health of our soil, plants, animals, and human population. On top of this perfect storm, the USDA now wants to approve Roundup Ready alfalfa, which will exacerbate this calamity. Please tell USDA Secretary Vilsack not to approve Monsanto’s alfalfa today.
While visiting a seed corn dealer’s demonstration plots in Iowa last fall, Dr. Don Huber walked passed a soybean field and noticed a distinct line separating severely diseased yellowing soybeans on the right from healthy green plants on the left (see photo). The yellow section was suffering from Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS), a serious plant disease that ravaged the Midwest in 2009 and ’10, driving down yields and profits. Something had caused that area of soybeans to be highly susceptible and Don had a good idea what it was.
This was yet another confirmation that Roundup was triggering SDS. In many fields, the evidence is even more obvious. The disease was most severe at the ends of rows where the herbicide applicator looped back to make another pass (see photo). That’s where extra Roundup was applied.
Don’s a scientist; it takes more than a few photos for him to draw conclusions. But Don’s got more—lots more. For over 20 years, Don studied Roundup’s active ingredient glyphosate. He’s one of the world’s experts. And he can rattle off study after study that eliminate any doubt that glyphosate is contributing not only to the huge increase in SDS, but to the outbreak of numerous other diseases. (See selected reading list.)
Suzanne Nordstrom
Would appreciate a link to Tom Vilsack’s e-mail to take action on this.
Becky Striepe
There’s a link on the last page where you can send a letter letting Vilsack know how you feel. Thanks for taking action!!
Tonia
http://fdn.actionkit.com/cms/sign/kiss_your_organics_goodbye?referring_akid=.227501.9gQ35E&source=taf
Cathy
Monsanto has had a long history of investigations because of it’s pesticide run-off into streams, Agent Orange and they have been able to convince the JECFA & FAO that modified seeds are safe. Even
to suggesting the gene is simply an additive to a normal plant. When a company has a monopoly on the seed market, the government agencies that regulate food safety in its back pocket, and are primarily concerned for the bottom line and not the safety of humans or animals, this is a serious threat. Hopefully someone will require independent testing even if it takes two years to complete to allow new seeds into the market.
William Rice
We need the guts to boycott corn products and the political will to end federal corn subsidies. Stop eating beef. Feel line chaf in the wind?
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