[SymphonicHealth] Fw: **VICTORY!** Monsanto Pulls the Plug on GE Wheat (fwd)

[Guest guest]

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST! YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

********************* VICTORY! *********************************

MONSANTO PULLS THE PLUG ON ITS ROUNDUP READY GE WHEAT

Opposition to Engineered Wheat From Farmers and Consumers Worldwide

Force Biotech Giant's Retreat

Monday, May 10, 2004 - Monsanto announced today that it is pulling the

plug on its RoundUp Ready (RR) genetically engineered wheat. The company

announced quietly today that, after seven years of development and

failed efforts to win over farmers and the international wheat market,

they will discontinue all research and field trial activities on RR

wheat. Monsanto's application for commercialization remains pending with

both U.S. and Canadian governments, but this major retreat signifies

that the overwhelming opposition to the first GE wheat variety from U.S.

farmers, and both domestic and international markets, was too great for

the company to overcome. The pressure is now on Monsanto to withdraw its

applications to commercialize RoundUp Ready wheat.

" Monsanto's retreat is a huge victory for farmers and consumers in

the U.S. and abroad, " said Whitehead, National Director of the

True Food Network. " Monsanto projected having RoundUp Ready wheat on the

market by 2002. But after several years of trying to push it down the

throats of farmers, buyers and the food industry, they have finally

realized this is an unwanted technology. "

Monsanto's RoundUp Ready wheat was genetically engineered to withstand

the use of its RoundUp herbicide, Monsanto's version of glyphosate, one

of its best selling products. The possible commercialization of this

wheat raised alarms around the world. Major export markets such as Japan

not only said they would not purchase GE wheat, but that they would not

purchase any U.S. wheat if GE varieties were commercialized due to fear

of contamination. Food companies in North America, such as General

Mills, Weston Bakeries, King Arthur Flour and several others,

expressed concerns about consumer acceptance. Some, like King Arthur Flo

ur, even released company statements against its introduction, pledging

not to use GE wheat in their products if it was indeed approved.

" RoundUp Ready wheat would have been the first new GE crop variety

commercialized in nearly six years. This marks a clear turning point in

the fight against this risky genetic experiment with our food, " said

Whitehead. " Consumers around the world have spoken, and they have said

very clearly that they do not want genetically engineered foods. "

CONGRATULATIONS TRUE FOOD NETWORK MEMBERS!

STAY TUNEDFOR UPDATES AND STORIES AT WWW.TRUEFOODNOW.ORG

Read Monsanto's press release at http://www.monsanto.com