Protect farmers who use traditional seeds from Genetically Modified Seeds

[Guest guest]

The organic and small farmers lost their case against Monsanto. We have to change the law to protect traditional farmers against sellers of Genetically Modified Seeds. See below:

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Stop the Biotech Bullies!

If Monsanto's genetically engineered crops (corn, soybeans, canola, sugar beets, cotton) pollute an organic or non-GMO farmer's land, under corporate-corrupted U.S. patent law, Monsanto can sue these victimized farmers for so-called "theft of intellectual property." Since the mid-1990s, 144 farmers have been taken to court by the Biotech Bully of St. Louis. Monsanto has brought charges against more than 700 additional farmers who have settled out-of-court. These farmers had no intention of growing crops or saving seeds that contain Monsanto's controversial patented genes. Their crops have been contaminated by genetically engineered plants in neighboring fields or contamination in seed processing facilities.

In an attempt to protect these farmers, a case, Organic Seed Growers & Trade Association, et al. v. Monsanto, was filed in federal district court in Manhattan on March 29, 2011, on behalf of 83 family farmers, seed businesses and organic agricultural organizations, representing over 300,000 members.

On February 24, Judge Naomi Buchwald dismissed in the case.

Support Farmer Protection LegislationLearn More & Donate to the Farmers' Appeal

Monsanto's Minions Attack OCA in California: Lies & Censorship at the Sacramento Bee

Last week, we reported that the Sacramento Bee had run an opinion piece by Dan Morain full of lies about the California ballot initiative campaign to label GMOs. We asked Bytes readers to set the record straight by reading our rebuttal and posting comments to the article on the Sacramento Bee website.

A flood of comments ensued, prompting the Bee to shut down the comment function. Then, on Saturday, Stuart Leavenworth, the editorial page editor, published a piece attacking the OCA that, like Morain's editorial, parrots Monsanto's talking points with no regard for the truth.

Again, we ask you to read Leavenworth's article and our rebuttal, then post comments defending freedom of speech and our right to know what's in our food.

Learn More & Take Action

Op-Ed of the Week: "America's Obesity and Diabetes Epidemic: Junk Food Kills" by Ronnie Cummins

"The U.S. industrial food and farming system, dominated by fast food restaurants and processed, chemical-laden food, has precipitated a public health crisis. Although nutritionists recommend that consumers avoid eating unhealthy junk foods, every day 75 million Americans "supersize" themselves and damage their health by eating at Mc's or other fast food restaurants. Forty percent of American meals are now purchased and consumed outside the home, typically consisting of high-calorie, low-nutrition items such as soft drinks, French fries, and low-grade meat, laced with fat, cheap sweeteners, pesticide residues, chemical additives, and salt. We have become a Fast Food Nation of bulging waistlines and high blood pressure."

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Support the OCA and the OCF: Strike a Blow Against Biotech and Junk Food

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. 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.

Donate to the Organic Consumers Association (tax-deductible)

Donate to the Organic Consumers Fund (non-tax-deductible, but necessary for our legislative efforts in California and other states)

Two More Months to Stop Dow's Agent Orange encorn

The US Department of Agriculture has extended its comment period on Dow's request to commercialize corn which has been genetically engineered for increased resistance to the herbicide 2,4-D of Agent Orange infamy.

The comment deadline has been extended to April 27, 2012.

Learn More & Take Action

Little Bytes: Top Stories of the Week

Big Food Must Go: Why We Need to Radically Change the Way We Eat

'Natural': The Most Meaningless Word on Your Food Label?

Time for Environmental Funders to Stop Neglecting the Grassroots

Dr. Vandana Shiva: Occupy Our Food Supply!

Infiltration to Disrupt, Divide and Misdirect Is Widespread in Occupy

Message From Our Sponsors

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