Sandra Finley

2013-05-29 GMO lose Europe – Monsanto halts production of GM corn in all Europe, except Spain, Portugal and Czech Republic.

Food, Freedom of Speech. (Remove some wrong postings from category), Genetically Modified No Responses »

May 312013

Yeeeay! http://www.ir-d.dk/gmo-lose-europe-victory-for-environmental-organisations/

THERE ARE 2 SHORT VIDEOS OF INTERVIEWS WITH THE MONSANTO SPOKESPERSON AT THE ABOVE LINK.

In the 2nd video the journalist pushes hard on the question of why the results of the GMO corn field trials are not available to the public.

By: Nils Mulvad

Investigative Reporting Denmark

Monsanto will halt production of genetically modified corn in all of Europe, except Spain, Portugal and Czech republic. The agribusiness multinational states not to spend any more money on trials, development, marketing, court cases or anything else to get GM corn accepted in Europe.

Touch the GMO Maize

Former Danish minister of Agriculture and Food, Eva Kjer Hansen from The Liberal Party, Venstre, announced on September 16th 2009 the start of Monsantos three trials with GMO maize resistent to herbicide Round-Up (NK 603) in Denmark.

She told the press in 2009 that in three years time Denmark could face acceptance of GMO crops and that a lot of farmers would be growing it. She invited journalists on a road trip and let them touch the GMO maize in the trial field in Tystofte near the Danish city Skælskør.

Even more trials

Two years later, in January 2011, Monsanto expanded these two years of examination with an additional year of testing, which was accepted by the Danish Environmental authority, Miljøstyrelsen.

The procedure is that crop companies’ new crops will be tested by the authority for two years before possibly being allowed for selling and growing in Denmark. At the time, Monsanto wanted to test a total of five different varieties with the transformation NK603.

Trial results are normally open to the public. In this case Monsanto explicitly asked to keep the test silent, and they withdrew the varities before the testing finished, so no results were published.

No information has then been released on these trials.

Fighting for access to trial results

Investigative Reporting Denmark has, together with an organisation for openness, Åbenhedstinget, asked for access to the results. It turns out the trials failed in the second year. On the 1st of February 2011 the authority stated that the GMO crops could not be allowed on the basis of the trial results of the first two years. The authority recommended one more year of trials.

The new maize crop resistant to Round-Up only performed 97 pct. compared to traditional maize for the two test years in total, the authority (Plantedirektoratet, Afdeling for Sortsafprøvning, Fagudvalget) writes. It also warns for the harmful effect of the herbicide Round-Up and concludes that the most realistic outcome is that the crop will not be allowed for growing in Denmark.

Monsanto cancelled the different crops from growing trials on different times. The last was cancelled on the 1st of February 2012. By doing that Monsanto could keep the failure out of the public domain.

Authorities support Monsanto on silence

The authorities have – after more than two months consideration – decided to follow Monsanto’s wish to keep the trial results silent.

Key documents in the FOI-case.

The main argument is that publication of the trial results would have an economically harmful effect on the company, despite the fact that the crops did not pass the trial.

Investigative Reporting and Åbenhedstinget together raise the case for The Danish Ministry of Agriculture. From a scientific viewpoint and for the use in other countries it is necessary to also get results of failed trials published, argue the two organisations.

“It is corrupting to the scientific method itself, when companies can decide that only positive results can be published. Therefore it is important to have this research published,” stresses Klaus Sall.

“This a good example of the need to require companies to accept free access to their GMO seeds, for scientific research, when the crop has been released for import to the EU as NK 603 has.”

Danish trial to be reported later

Brandon Mitchener from Monsanto points to a webpage where trials are reported. The Danish trials will be reported there later this year. The actual data from the trials are not included in the reports.

“I cannot believe that any company would ever voluntarily disclose information that might be useful to its competitors. It’s unrealistic, even surreal, that anyone would expect us to. Laws already strike the proper balance between confidentiality and transparency,” says Brandon Mitchener.

The horse is dead.

Experts getting moved away from GMO

In September 2009 The Danish Ministry for Agriculture and Food published a 235 page report on in an attempt to revitalise the debate and have GMOs allowed in Denmark. This took place on the same day as the roadtrip for the press to trial fields.

The report was met with a heavy criticism in the public debate. Today the topic is closed.

”Currently no agribusiness companies have GM varieties under testing for registration at The AgriFish Agency anymore,” explains Kristine Riskær, head of the center for farming and plants in the Danish State Authority for Farming, NaturErhvervsstyrelsen, a branch under The Danish Ministry for Agriculture and Food.

A closer look at GMO ingredients in store-bought food

Food, Freedom of Speech. (Remove some wrong postings from category), Genetically Modified, Health 2 Responses »

May 302013

Anna Maria Tremonti interviewed an entomologist who explained the mechanics by which the insectides engineered into GMO plants (food grains) kill the insect pest. 2013-05-29 Rootworms and the Future of Genetically Modified Farming. Anna Maria Tremonti, CBC Radio, The Current.

In eating the plant (corn, for example), the larvae ingests the built-in insectide which then kills the insect from inside; the plant being eaten (the root of the corn plant in this example) makes holes in the digestive system of the larvae.

Independent of the entomologist, Dr. Elaine Ingham explains “the how” of GMO plants ( 2013-05-19 Getting to the Root of how GMO Plants harm food production and Your Health):

“. . . There’s very clear evidence of harm in animals that consume Bt plant material. They end up with severe ulceration, starting in the digestive system. . ..”

Dr. Ingham is saying what the entomologist said.

I recall listening to a video-taped interview with a farmer. His livestock herd was decimated. He figured out it was the GMO corn he was feeding to them – – same story as the entomologist and Dr. Ingham. (The link is on this blog somewhere – I’ll try to find it.)

Why do we think that GMO ingredients will be health-giving to human beings? when we know they kill other organisms?

If the average American eats 25 pounds of GMO corn a year (see below), I wonder if that’s enough to affect the internal workings of a human being?

The industry, its credentialing agency (the University) and the Governments deny that GMO foods have adverse health effects, in spite of research that says otherwise.

I think the gig is up.

A CLOSER LOOK AT GMO INGREDIENTS IN STORE-BOUGHT FOOD

Boycott food with GMO content, yes.

But you will simultaneously be eating food that provides your body with nutrients, instead of food that eats you! (assuming that if GMO food eats holes in the inside of the larvae, it will do something similar to you, in sufficient quantity, and especially if your immune system is dealing with numerous toxins.)

The creators of the list of food producers to avoid (scroll down to the bottom of this posting) don’t explain how the list was compiled. But I think you can figure it out: the list is obviously of food producers that buy large volumes of GMO ingredients. So,

what are the largest volume GMO crops?
what foodstuffs are made with those grains?

You know that large corporate producers of those foodstuffs will be using GMO ingredients.

People who live in North America would not know that those foodstuffs contain GMO ingredients, simply because GM food is not required to be labelled in Canada or in the USA. (Labelling IS required in Europe.)

To answer question #1 (the largest volume GMO crops?), I found U.S. information easily. It is useable for our purposes (Canadian) – most of these store-bought foods are imported into Canada.

When you look at the foods that contain GMO ingredients (question #2, what foodstuffs are made with those grains?), it is easy to see that yes, the list of food producers to boycott makes sense.

So,

1. WHAT ARE THE LARGEST VOLUME GMO CROPS?

Two sources combined:

yield these results:

CORN:

Corn is the No. 1 crop grown in the U.S. and nearly all of it — 88 percent — is genetically modified. In addition to being added to innumerable processed foods, genetically modified corn is a staple of animal feed.

The National Corn Growers Association reports that each American consumes 25 pounds of corn annually. The crop is fed as ground grain, silage, high-moisture, and high-oil corn. About 12% of the U.S. corn crop ends up in foods that are either consumed directly (e.g. corn chips) or indirectly (e.g. high fructose corn syrup).

SOYBEANS:

93 percent of soy is genetically modified. Soy is a staple of processed foods under various names including hydrogenated oils, lecithin, emulsifiers, tocopherol (a vitamin E supplement), and proteins.

Soybeans rank second, after corn, among the most-planted field crops in the U.S. Over 279,110 (2007 Census of Agriculture) farms in the U.S. produce soybeans making the U.S. the largest producer and exporter of soybeans, accounting for over 50% of the world’s soybean production and $3-4 billion in soybean and product exports in the late 2000s. Soybeans represent 50 percent of world oilseed production.

Soybeans are used to create a variety of products, the most basic of which are soybean oil, meal, and hulls. According to the United Soybean Board, soybean oil, used in both food manufacturing and frying and sautéing, is the number one edible oil in the U.S. Currently, soybean oil represents approximately 65 percent of all edible oil consumed in the United States, down from about 79 percent in 2000 due to controversy over trans-fat.

Yikes! FOOD THAT CONTAIN SOY see http://www.neisd.net/foodserv/HTML/documents/FoodAllergens13Jan09.pdf

NOTE: The list of foods that contain soy at the link above and

the list of foods that contain canola oil (below)

have both been constructed for people

who have severe allergies to soy / canola.

Which is interpreted: they are allergic to GMO soy and GMO canola because that’s what it is.

Makes you wonder how many people are not well, maybe because they don’t know they are allergic to these ingredients in their food. They might also be allergic to GMO corn.

The over-arching statement might be: GMO food makes people sick.

QUESTION:

Are people “allergic to” canola and soy (see below) – – which implies that THEY have a problem OR
Do GMO canola and GMO soy (and GMO corn?) make people sick? – – that is, the problem is THE FOOD, not the people.

But back to the point:

CANOLA:

About 90 percent of the U.S. canola crop is genetically modified. Canola oil is used in cooking, as well as biofuels.

Canola oil is used in the fast food industry for deep frying (MacDonald’s, etc.)

FOODS THAT CONTAIN CANOLA – WILL BE GMO CANOLA

THE FOLLOWING LIST WAS COMPILED FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ALLERGIC TO CANOLA OIL.

(In my books, “allergic to” means that the food makes them sick. )

http://www.cantola.com/Tricky_Foods.html

Some foods almost always contain canola oil, and some foods seem like they wouldn’t have any oil at all, yet contain canola. For example:

Peanut butter. Unless it’s “natural,” it will almost always contain canola oil (usually labeled as “rapeseed oil”). Some safe brands: Adam’s, Laura Scudder’s, Safeway’s O Organics, and Skippy Natural.
Frozen French fries/tater tots/onion rings . Everything that falls near the “frozen potato” category almost always contains canola. Ore-Ida onion rings, however, are safe, and all frozen potato products from the 365 Everyday Value brand at Whole Foods are also canola-free.
Salad Dressing. I would estimate that 50-75% of all salad dressings on the market contain canola oil. Just a guess, but it is awfully common in salad dressings. Even the fat free ones. Some safe brands: We recommend that you start your label reading at either Kraft or the Safeway store brand, or just make your own salad dressing. Those are the two that rarely use canola. Everyone else is even more of a gamble.
Salsa. Salsa is one of those that shouldn’t have any oil, one would think, but make sure you read the labels, because a couple of brands do actually contain canola oil.
Chocolate syrup. Seriously, some syrup brands contain “vegetable oil.” Be careful.
Rye bread. I don’t know why almost every brand of rye bread in the world is made with canola oil, but it’s really hard to find one that isn’t.
Citrus-flavored soda. “Bromiated vegetable oil.” Beware the Dew. And many other sodas that have a citrus flavor.
Oreos. Here’s an interesting one: if the Oreos are chocolate coated, or white fudge coated, or basically dipped in anything, they do not contain canola oil. All other Oreo varieties have canola. And while we’re at it, remember to stay away from all things Nutter Butter.
Pretzels. I don’t know why so many hard pretzel brands contain canola, but they do. Read labels carefully.
Mayonnaise. “Canola mayo” is the hot new trend in mayonnaise. I would guess that half of the brands of mayo out there use canola. Best Foods and Kraft don’t use canola.
Bread and butter pickles. We’ve never encountered a dill pickle that had canola, but sometimes the bread and butter pickles do. Watch out.
Mustard. Very, very, very rare to see one with canola oil, but it does happen. I think I’ve seen more salsas that contained oil than I have mustards, but read the labels, just in case.
Birdseed. If you have birds, read the labels for their food very carefully, as some of them contain “rapeseed,” and the rapeseed can get all over your house and in the air. As a general rule: don’t buy birdseed at a grocery store. Go to Petsmart for the least chance of rapeseed, and Petco for another low chance.
Granola bars/cereal bars, etc: It’s hard to find these without canola/rapeseed, etc. Quaker 90 calorie chewy chocolate chunk granola bars are safe, as are Zone Perfect fudge graham bars, 100 calorie Chips Ahoy bars, and Odwalla Super Protein bars. There are probably other safe ones, but reading all of the labels gets a little tiring, so those are the few that we currently stick to.
Cereal: Another product that’s very hit-or-miss. Probably a solid 75% of all cereals out there have canola/rapeseed, etc. If you’ve known about this allergy for any length of time, you’ve probably already said goodbye to Honey Bunches of Oats. As to other cereals, though: if a generic one that you like has canola, try the name brand, and if the name brand has canola, try the generic. They rarely both do. If you’re in a situation such as a hotel breakfast bar, however, where you can’t read labels, just stick to fruit.
Vegetarian foods: Thank you to Alison for pointing out that most, if not all Amy’s frozen foods are canola-free. Of course, Morning Star is usually chock-full of canola, though Alison points out that the Chik-n nuggets are not. She also says that most Cedar Lane products have canola, but the quesadillas do not. Boca’s a better bet than Morning Star for most meatless things, as Morning Star has canola in probably 90% of their foods, while I’d guess Boca is closer to two-thirds or so.
Chips/crackers: A lot of these have canola. The best way to know which ones is simply to read the labels. Kettle Chips are generally okay, as are many, if not most Lay’s. Most Cheez-its contain canola except usually the child-oriented ones, such as Spongebob-shaped cheez-its, possibly because they have stricter ingredient standards for food marketed to children. In these sorts of foods, there are usually huge variations in ingredients within the same brand, in their different varities – one flavor of a brand of cracker will have canola, but a different flavor of the same brand won’t. So you have situations where some Wheat Thins are okay, while others aren’t, and you simply have to read the labels. And also, saltines can be surprisingly difficult to find without canola.
Bread: I would say that most bread you buy in a store will not have canola, provided that it is not rye bread, which strangely almost always has canola. That is not to say that no other bread will have canola, though. It does happen, and you need to read labels. One brand that has been consistenly safe for years now is Sara Lee. I don’t know that I’ve ever come across a loaf of Sara Lee that had canola. If I’m in a hurry at the store, that’s where I begin my label-reading, and it always works out. King’s Hawaiian, Milton’s, and Wonder Bread are usually pretty safe, too.
Pizza: When it comes to frozen pizza, I know that Red Baron varieties almost never, if not never ever, contain canola. And honestly, I can’t tell you much about the others, because frozen pizza isn’t exactly a meal that you buy when you’re in the mood to sit around and read a bunch of packages. We head straight to the Red Baron, find something, and skedaddle. We’ve glanced at Totino’s and CPK long enough to know that you have to read through those brands pretty carefully. Safeway’s O Organics line also seems to be canola-free. And, as long as we’re on the topic of pizza, ordering a pizza is usually pretty dangerous. Canola is often in the crust. If it’s not from a chain that specifically names their ingredients, it’s probably best to avoid the pizza. Stick to the big names.
Tortillas: Thank you so much to Alison for pointing out tortillas as another tricky food! I do need to thank her for pointing out all of these new foods, in fact, but tortillas are one I find especially aggravating, and I can’t believe I forgot about them, with as much as I complain about them! The only advice I have here is to read every label, every time.
Bakery foods: My advice on this is to avoid the bakery section in the grocery store. Everything from cookies to baguettes are likely to contain canola, and I’m pretty sure that the tastier something looks, the more canola it will contain.
Margarine: Blue Bonnet and Imperial 1/3 Less Fat are two that we know to be safe.
Lunch meat: It’s relatively rare for lunch meat to contain canola, in the sense that it happens much less frequently than it does in, say, peanut butter, but more often than it does in mustard or salsa. And of course the one time you don’t read labels will be the time it happens to you, so be careful!
Diet / nutritional shakes / bars: Read labels carefully. Almost every single one of these contains canola oil.
Garlic salt: Why, I don’t know, but it’s very difficult to find garlic salt that is canola-free.
Movie theater food: Just avoid it. Especially the popcorn. Reactions have been known to happen just by walking past the concession stand.

SUGAR BEETS:

More than half — 54 percent — of sugar sold in America comes from sugar beets. Genetically modified sugar beets account for 90 percent of the crop; however, that percentage is expected to increase after a USDA’s decision last year gave the green light to sugar beet planting before an environmental impact statement was completed.

SO NOW TAKE A LOOK – DOES THIS LIST MAKE SENSE?

FOOD PRODUCERS TO AVOID?

http://www.realfarmacy.com/printable-list-of-monsanto-owned-food-producers/

In light of the recent public anger over the Monsanto Protection Act, here’s a simple, printable lis…

(Or, on facebook): Printable List of Monsanto Owned “Food” Producers

2013-05-10 Informative: Russia Warns Obama: Monsanto GMO. Global War Over “Bee Apocalypse” Coming Soon, EU Times

Food, Freedom of Speech. (Remove some wrong postings from category), Genetically Modified No Responses »

May 302013

http://www.eutimes.net/2013/05/russia-warns-obama-global-war-over-bee-apocalypse-coming-soon/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheEuropeanUnionTimes+%28The+European+Union+Times%29&utm_content=Yahoo!+Mail

The shocking minutes relating to President Putin’s meeting this past week with US Secretary of State John Kerry reveal the Russian leaders “extreme outrage” over the Obama regimes continued protection of global seed and plant bio-genetic giants Syngenta and Monsanto in the face of a growing “bee apocalypse” that the Kremlin warns “will most certainly” lead to world war.

According to these minutes, released in the Kremlin today by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation (MNRE), Putin was so incensed over the Obama regimes refusal to discuss this grave matter that he refused for three hours to even meet with Kerry, who had traveled to Moscow on a scheduled diplomatic mission, but then relented so as to not cause an even greater rift between these two nations.

At the center of this dispute between Russia and the US, this MNRE report says, is the “undisputed evidence” that a class of neuro-active insecticides chemically related to nicotine, known as neonicotinoids, are destroying our planets bee population, and which if left unchecked could destroy our world’s ability to grow enough food to feed its population.

So grave has this situation become, the MNRE reports, the full European Commission (EC) this past week instituted a two-year precautionary ban (set to begin on 1 December 2013) on these “bee killing” pesticides following the lead of Switzerland, France, Italy, Russia, Slovenia and Ukraine, all of whom had previously banned these most dangerous of genetically altered organisms from being used on the continent.

Two of the most feared neonicotinoids being banned are Actara and Cruiser made by the Swiss global bio-tech seed and pesticide giant Syngenta AG which employs over 26,000 people in over 90 countries and ranks third in total global sales in the commercial agricultural seeds market.

Important to note, this report says, is that Syngenta, along with bio-tech giants Monsanto, Bayer, Dow and DuPont, now control nearly 100% of the global market for genetically modified pesticides, plants and seeds.

Also to note about Syngenta, this report continues, is that in 2012 it was criminally charged in Germany for concealing the fact that its genetically modified corn killed cattle, and settled a class-action lawsuit in the US for $105 million after it was discovered they had contaminated the drinking supply of some 52 million Americans in more than 2,000 water districts with its “gender-bending” herbicide Atrazine.

To how staggeringly frightful this situation is, the MNRE says, can be seen in the report issued this past March by the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) wherein they warned our whole planet is in danger, and as we can, in part, read:

“As part of a study on impacts from the world’s most widely used class of insecticides, nicotine-like chemicals called neonicotinoids, American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has called for a ban on their use as seed treatments and for the suspension of all applications pending an independent review of the products’ effects on birds, terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, and other wildlife.

“It is clear that these chemicals have the potential to affect entire food chains. The environmental persistence of the neonicotinoids, their propensity for runoff and for groundwater infiltration, and their cumulative and largely irreversible mode of action in invertebrates raise significant environmental concerns,” said Cynthia Palmer, co-author of the report and Pesticides Program Manager for ABC, one of the nation’s leading bird conservation organizations.

ABC commissioned world renowned environmental toxicologist Dr. Pierre Mineau to conduct the research. The 100-page report, “The Impact of the Nation’s Most Widely Used Insecticides on Birds,” reviews 200 studies on neonicotinoids including industry research obtained through the US Freedom of Information Act. The report evaluates the toxicological risk to birds and aquatic systems and includes extensive comparisons with the older pesticides that the neonicotinoids have replaced. The assessment concludes that the neonicotinoids are lethal to birds and to the aquatic systems on which they depend.

“A single corn kernel coated with a neonicotinoid can kill a songbird,” Palmer said. “Even a tiny grain of wheat or canola treated with the oldest neonicotinoid — called imidacloprid — can fatally poison a bird. And as little as 1/10th of a neonicotinoid-coated corn seed per day during egg-laying season is all that is needed to affect reproduction.”

The new report concludes that neonicotinoid contamination levels in both surface- and ground water in the United States and around the world are already beyond the threshold found to kill many aquatic invertebrates.”

Quickly following this damning report, the MRNE says, a large group of group of American beekeepers and environmentalists sued the Obama regime over the continued use of these neonicotinoids stating: “We are taking the EPA to court for its failure to protect bees from pesticides. Despite our best efforts to warn the agency about the problems posed by neonicotinoids, the EPA continued to ignore the clear warning signs of an agricultural system in trouble.”

And to how bad the world’s agricultural system has really become due to these genetically modified plants, pesticides and seeds, this report continues, can be seen by the EC’s proposal this past week, following their ban on neonicotinoids, in which they plan to criminalize nearly all seeds and plants not registered with the European Union, and as we can, in part, read:

“Europe is rushing towards the good ol days circa 1939, 40… A new law proposed by the European Commission would make it illegal to “grow, reproduce or trade” any vegetable seeds that have not been “tested, approved and accepted” by a new EU bureaucracy named the “EU Plant Variety Agency.”

It’s called the Plant Reproductive Material Law, and it attempts to put the government in charge of virtually all plants and seeds. Home gardeners who grow their own plants from non-regulated seeds would be considered criminals under this law.”

This MRNE report points out that even though this EC action may appear draconian, it is nevertheless necessary in order to purge the continent from continued contamination of these genetically bred “seed monstrosities.”

Most perplexing in all of this, the MRNE says, and which led to Putin’s anger at the US, has been the Obama regimes efforts to protect pesticide-producer profits over the catastrophic damaging being done to the environment, and as the Guardian News Service detailed in their 2 May article titled “US rejects EU claim of insecticide as prime reason for bee colony collapse” and which, in part, says:

“The European Union voted this week for a two-year ban on a class of pesticides, known as neonicotinoids, that has been associated with the bees’ collapse. The US government report, in contrast, found multiple causes for the collapse of the honeybees.”

To the “truer” reason for the Obama regimes protection of these bio-tech giants destroying our world, the MRNE says, can be viewed in the report titled “How did Barack Obama become Monsanto’s man in Washington?” and which, in part, says:

“After his victory in the 2008 election, Obama filled key posts with Monsanto people, in federal agencies that wield tremendous force in food issues, the USDA and the FDA: At the USDA, as the director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Roger Beachy, former director of the Monsanto Danforth Center. As deputy commissioner of the FDA, the new food-safety-issues czar, the infamous Michael Taylor, former vice-president for public policy for Monsanto. Taylor had been instrumental in getting approval for Monsanto’s genetically engineered bovine growth hormone.”

Even worse, after Russia suspended the import and use of an Monsanto genetically modified corn following a study suggesting a link to breast cancer and organ damage this past September, the Russia Today News Service reported on the Obama regimes response:

“The US House of Representatives quietly passed a last-minute addition to the Agricultural Appropriations Bill for 2013 last week – including a provision protecting genetically modified seeds from litigation in the face of health risks.

The rider, which is officially known as the Farmer Assurance Provision, has been derided by opponents of biotech lobbying as the “Monsanto Protection Act,” as it would strip federal courts of the authority to immediately halt the planting and sale of genetically modified (GMO) seed crop regardless of any consumer health concerns.

The provision, also decried as a “biotech rider,” should have gone through the Agricultural or Judiciary Committees for review. Instead, no hearings were held, and the piece was evidently unknown to most Democrats (who hold the majority in the Senate) prior to its approval as part of HR 993, the short-term funding bill that was approved to avoid a federal government shutdown.”

On 26 March, Obama quietly signed this “Monsanto Protection Act” into law thus ensuring the American people have no recourse against this bio-tech giant as they fall ill by the tens of millions, and many millions will surely end up dying in what this MRNE report calls the greatest agricultural apocalypse in human history as over 90% of feral (wild) bee population in the US has already died out, and up to 80% of domestic bees have died out too.

2013-05-29 Rootworms and the Future of Genetically Modified Farming. Anna Maria Tremonti, CBC Radio, The Current.

Food, Freedom of Speech. (Remove some wrong postings from category), Genetically Modified No Responses »

May 302013

CBC RADIO

The Current | May 29, 2013 | 24:28

http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/ID/ID/2388310871/

Rootworms and the Future of Genetically Modified Farming

Genetically modified cornseed was supposed to be resistant to the dreaded rootworm. But in parts of the U.S. Midwest, corn farmers are discovering the very problem that GM crops were supposed to eliminate are back in the corn.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

EXCERPT FROM RELATED POSTING:

A closer look at GMO ingredients in store-bought food

In eating the plant (corn, for example), the larvae ingests the built-in insectide which then kills the insect from inside – – it makes holes in the digestive system of the larvae.

If the average American eats 25 pounds of GMO corn a year (below), I wonder if that’s enough to affect the internal workings of a human being?

2013-05-29 Monsanto’s GMO Wheat growing in Oregon. Not approved. USDA investigating.

Food, Freedom of Speech. (Remove some wrong postings from category), Genetically Modified No Responses »

May 302013

The battle to stop the introduction of RR Wheat (GMO) has waged for years. Our network did a lot of work on it around 2004. I don’t have a lot of the information we circulated posted yet.

http://www.foodproductdesign.com/news/2013/05/usda-investigates-monsanto-gmo-wheat-on-oregon-fa.aspx

WASHINGTON—Genetically-modified wheat plants were found on a farm in Oregon, triggering a government investigation because the crops had not been approved for commercial production or sale. Further testing indicated the wheat was the same variety that Monsanto Company had been authorized to test in 16 states from 1998 through 2005, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said the wheat, which had been engineered to resist the herbicide glyphosate, did not present a food-safety concern.

“We are taking this situation very seriously and have launched a formal investigation,” said Michael Firko, acting deputy administrator for APHIS’ Biotechnology Regulatory Services, in a statement. “Our first priority is to as quickly as possible determine the circumstances and extent of the situation and how it happened. We are collaborating with state, industry, and trading partners on this situation and are committed to providing timely information about our findings. USDA will put all necessary resources towards this investigation.”

Monsanto, the agricultural bioengineering company, said it would work with USDA to investigate the situation, but it underscored that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) verified more than a decade ago that its Roundup Ready wheat was safe.

“This is the first report of the Roundup Ready trait being found out of place since Monsanto’s commercial development program was discontinued nine years ago,” Monsanto said in a statement. “Our process for closing out the Roundup Ready wheat program was rigorous, well documented and audited.”

Should a wrongdoer in APHIS’ investigation be found to have violated the Plant Protection Act, it could face civil penalties of up to $1 million and criminal prosecution, the agency said.

The wheat discovery was brought to the attention of APHIS by an Oregon State University scientist who sampled the crop after a farmer detected glyphosate-resistant wheat that had not been intentionally planted.

“We have no reason to believe at this time that the farmer who reported the presence of glyphosate-resistant GE wheat volunteers in his field has committed any infraction,” APHIS said.

In its statement May 29, Monsanto noted USDA had not provided the company details regarding its testing or samples necessary to verify the agency’s findings.

“We will work with USDA to confirm their test results and as they consider appropriate next steps. We will also conduct a rigorous investigation to validate the scope of and to address any presence of a Monsanto Roundup Ready event in commercial wheat seed,” Monsanto said.

USDA’s announcement represented another setback for Monsanto, which recently learned that the agency plans to conduct environmental reviews in connection with the company’s request to deregulate soybean and cotton that are resistant to certain herbicides.

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http://grist.org/news/illegal-monsanto-gmo-wheat-found-in-oregon/

Illegal Monsanto GMO wheat found in Oregon

By John Upton

A farmer in Oregon found a patch of wheat growing like a weed where it wasn’t expected, so the farmer sprayed it with the herbicide Roundup. Surprisingly, some of the wheat survived.

The startled farmer sent samples of the renegade wheat to a laboratory, which confirmed something that should have been impossible: The wheat was a genetically engineered variety that had never been approved to be grown in the U.S., nor anywhere else in the world.

From The New York Times:

The Agriculture Department said the wheat was of the type developed by Monsanto to be resistant to the herbicide Roundup, also known as glyphosate. Such wheat was field-tested in 16 states, including Oregon, from 1998 through 2005, but Monsanto dropped the project before the wheat was ever approved for commercial planting.

The department said it was not known yet whether any of the wheat got into the food supply or into grain shipments. Even if it did, officials said, it would pose no threat to health. The Food and Drug Administration reviewed the wheat and found no safety problems with it in 2004.

Still, the mere presence of the genetically modified plant could cause some countries to turn away exports of American wheat, especially if any traces of the unapproved grain were found in shipments. About $8.1 billion in American wheat was exported in 2012, representing nearly half the total $17.9 billion crop, according to U.S. Wheat Associates, which promotes American wheat abroad. About 90 percent of Oregon’s wheat crop is exported.

It’s not clear when the discovery was made. In a statement on its website, Monsanto said it was contacted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding its investigation “earlier this month.” The USDA announced the discovery on Wednesday and said nine investigators are trying to figure out how the freak wheat wound up growing on the unnamed farmer’s land. Reuters reports that there were eight field trials of Monsanto’s GMO wheat in Oregon from 1999 to 2001.

While the federal government and agriculture industry scramble to investigate and manage fallout from the escaped wheat strain, there is one company that doesn’t seem too concerned. You can guess who that might be. From a statement posted on Monsanto’s website:

Over the past decade, an annual average of 58 million acres of wheat have been planted in the United States. This is the first report of the Roundup Ready trait being found out of place since Monsanto’s commercial wheat development program was discontinued nine years ago. …

Accordingly, while USDA’s results are unexpected, there is considerable reason to believe that the presence of the Roundup Ready trait in wheat, if determined to be valid, is very limited.

Well, if it’s “very limited,” then, I suppose there’s no need for concern. Try telling that to America’s wheat trading partners.

John Upton is a science fan and green news boffin who tweets, posts articles to Facebook, and blogs about ecology. He welcomes reader questions, tips, and incoherent rants: johnupton@gmail.com.

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The Wheat Growers are scrambling, understandably:

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/us-wheat-associates-and-nawg-statement-response-us/nX6Sc/

U.S. Wheat Associates and NAWG Statement Response to USDA Announcement

. . . Nothing is more important than the trust we’ve earned with our customers at home and around the world by providing a reliable supply of high-quality wheat. As industry leaders, we will cooperate with authorities in the United States and international markets to understand the facts surrounding this incident and help minimize its impact.

We appreciate our customers standing with us while we monitor the investigation, and we will share additional information as soon as it becomes available.

2013-05-29: 50 industry groups form alliance to manipulate public opinion on GMO’s / food additives, Monsanto the most prominent

Food, Freedom of Speech. (Remove some wrong postings from category), Genetically Modified 1 Response »

May 302013

The NEXT big March Against Monsanto is October 12, 2013.

The industry response (below) gives me a big incentive to contact people I know, in a community that didn’t have a March, to see if they’ll set up an event for Oct 12!

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

50 industry groups form alliance to manipulate public opinion on GMO’s, and other additives, the “Alliance to Feed the Future” – ha!

Please click on:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/05/29/codex-front-groups.aspx?e_cid=20130529_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20130529

2013-05-28 Dismay when people realize connection between GMO corn and tacos, tortillas, corn chips (corn meal). HOW TO find GMO crops approved in Canada.

Food, Freedom of Speech. (Remove some wrong postings from category), Genetically Modified No Responses »

May 282013

BACKGROUND ON GMO CORN IN CANADA:

I was asked:

“have you heard of “prairie fresh corn”? … I am wondering if its also genetically modified but can’t find anything online? Do you know where to find info on all the new corn strains?”

REPLY:

Go to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

GMO crops are referred to as plants with “novel traits”.

Go to: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/active/scripts/database/pntvcn_submitdb.asp?lang=e&crops=2&company=all&trait=all&events=all

Enter “corn” and you’ll get a listing of the GMO (“novel traits”) corn.

For example, “Smartstax” corn, approved in 2009:

(BACKGROUND: 2009-07-25 Quick & Quiet, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) approved a new genetically engineered corn with eight different insect- and weed-fighting traits (“Smartstax”), Montreal Gazette)

Once in the data base, I entered “smartstax” and found:

www.inspection.gc.ca

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/plants-with-novel-traits/approved-under-review/stacked-traits/smartstax/eng/1337664170058/1337664385770

Monsanto Canada Inc. and Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc.‘s combined trait corn product containing events MON 89034, TC 1507, MON 88017 and DAS-59122-7

Summary of the decision dated July 17, 2009:

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has reviewed a joint Monsanto Canada Inc. and Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. notification of intent to release into the environment the combined trait corn product containing events MON 89034, TC 1507, MON 88017 and DAS-59122-7 planted with a 5 per cent structured non-Bt refuge. This product has been developed by stacking the events using traditional breeding methods and possesses traits of insecticidal proteins for lepidopteran and corn rootworm control. The product also has traits for tolerance to glyphosate and glufosinate-ammonium herbicides. All single events have been authorized for use in food and livestock feed and for environmental release in Canada.

The CFIA has evaluated the potential impact on and risk to the environment of using a 5 per cent structured non-Bt refuge strategy for this product, and has concluded that the use of this refuge strategy for a time-limited period poses minimal risk to the environment. Consequently, the time-limited environmental release of the combined trait corn product containing events MON 89034, TC 1507, MON 88017 and DAS-59122-7 using this refuge strategy is authorized. In addition to the implementation of the insect resistance management (IRM) requirements specific to this product, during the interim authorization, the proponents are required to conduct field evaluations of corn rootworm adaptation to this product, including monitoring of actual emergence of susceptible and resistant corn rootworm adults in the field.

The CFIA concluded that cultivation of this corn product with an appropriately designed 5 per cent structured refuge strategy is expected to be more effective in delaying the development of resistant insects than cultivation of the individual single event Bt corn products with their respective structured refuge strategies. However, continued diligence on the part of technology developers, federal and provincial government representatives, public sector researchers and growers is required to ensure the continued stewardship of Bt corn products in support of sustainable agricultural practices in the long term.

Summary of the decision dated June 9, 2011:

The CFIA has evaluated the potential impact on and risk to the environment of using a 5 per cent blended non-Bt refuge strategy for this product, and has concluded that the use of this refuge strategy for a time-limited period poses minimal risk to the environment. Consequently, the time-limited environmental release of the combined trait corn product containing events MON 89034, TC 1507, MON 88017 and DAS-59122-7 using this refuge strategy is authorized. In addition to the implementation of the IRMrequirements specific to this product and the research condition imposed by the decision from July 17, 2009, during the interim authorization the proponents are required to conduct additional field evaluations, including further research on the effect of the blended product on European corn borer.

The CFIA concluded that cultivation of this corn product with an appropriately designed 5 per cent blended refuge strategy is expected to be more effective in delaying the development of resistant insects than cultivation of the individual single event Bt corn products with their respective structured refuge strategies. However, continued diligence on the part of technology developers, federal and provincial government representatives, public sector researchers and growers is required to ensure the continued stewardship of Bt corn products in support of sustainable agricultural practices in the long term.

More information can be found on stewardship of Bt crops on the CFIA web site.

For more information, please contact the Plant Biosafety Office.

2013-05-28 Desperate Times for Vaccine Risk Denialism

Freedom of Speech. (Remove some wrong postings from category), Vaccinations (incl corruption of science & govt) No Responses »

May 282013

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/05/28/vaccine-risk-denialism.aspx?e_cid=20130528_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20130528

RECOMMEND: click on the URL, watch the video. The text is below, as backup.

By Barbara Loe Fisher

These are desperate times for those denying vaccine risks. We know it because we are witnessing so many acts of desperation being committed by doctors determined to shut down the public conversation about vaccination and health.

Vaccine risk deniers are working overtime to restrict public access to information, cover up vaccine injuries and deaths and violate the human right to informed consent to medical risk-taking.

No Flu Shots? No Employment

2013 was only a few days old when public health agencies and medical trade groups called for veteran nurses and other health care workers to be fired for refusing to obey orders to get annual flu shots – no exceptions and no questions asked.1

It did not matter that the risky and notoriously ineffective influenza vaccine turned out to be almost useless in preventing infection with the most prevalent influenza strains circulating in the US this year.2

Proposed State Legislation to Force Vaccine Use

This was followed by the introduction of legislation backed by public health officials and Pharma-funded medical trade groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics in states like Texas, Oregon, Arizona and Vermont.3

Their goal is to remove or restrict non-medical vaccine exemptions in state laws so doctors have more power to force vaccine use by children and adults – no questions asked and no exceptions.

Institute of Medicine Report: Where Is the Good Vaccine Science?

In mid-January came the eye-opening Institute of Medicine committee report acknowledging that only 37 scientific studies have examined the safety of the current US vaccine schedule for newborns and children under age six,4 which now totals a stunning 49 doses of 14 vaccines5 compared to 23 doses of 7 vaccines recommended in 1983.6

The lack of enough good scientific studies meant the committee could not determine whether the number of doses and timing of government recommended vaccinations is – or is not – associated with development of chronic health problems like seizures, autoimmunity, allergies, learning disabilities and autism in the first six years of life.7

New U.S. Autism Prevalence Statistic: 1 Child in 50

In March, a report was issued by the National Center for Health Statistics estimating that among children attending school in America, today 1 child in 50 has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).8 In 2004, that number was 1 child in 150. In 1992, it was 1 child in 500 and in 1986 it was 1 child in 2000.9

By April, which is Autism Awareness Month in the US, there was a full court press by doctors inside and outside of government to dismiss any association whatsoever between steep increases in the numbers of vaccinations given to children during the past 30 years and corresponding steep increases in the numbers of children developing autism.

Those doctors know, but a lot of young parents today don’t know, that the public conversation about vaccine-induced brain inflammation and chronic brain and immune system dysfunction, including autism, began 16 years before a study was published in The Lancet in 1998 examining the potential association between the MMR vaccine and autism.10, 11

CDC Study Fails to Confirm Offit’s Claim 10,000 Vaccines Safe for Babies

On Good Friday, April 1, during Easter and Passover observances, a study conducted and funded by the Centers for Disease Control was released by the Journal of Pediatrics declaring that “increasing exposure to antibody stimulating proteins and polysaccharides in vaccines is not associated with risk of autism” and, therefore, vaccines don’t cause autism.12

It was a pathetic attempt to validate a Machiavellian hypothesis forwarded in 2002 by pediatric vaccine developer Paul Offit claiming that an infant could safely respond to 10,000 vaccines given at any one time.13

However, an eighth grade science class student with an elementary understanding of health research methods,14 the bioactivity of various vaccine ingredients15, 16, 17, 18 and the difference between naturally acquired and vaccine acquired immunity,19 could figure out that the absence of an unvaccinated control group meant the study was fatally flawed. It proved absolutely nothing about the potential relationship between administration of multiple vaccinations in early childhood and the development of autism among genetically diverse children with and without increased biological susceptibility to adverse responses to vaccination.20

Pediatricians Label Social Networking Parents ‘Nonconformers’

On April 15, Pediatric News published an online survey stating the obvious: a person’s knowledge, values and beliefs, as well as the opinions of friends and families in social networks, strongly influences decisions about vaccination.21 Parents, who expressed doubts about vaccine safety and used alternative vaccine schedules for their children, were pejoratively labeled as “nonconformers.”

Pediatricians commenting on the survey suggested that nonconforming parents did not base their vaccine decisions on “rational logic” and “scientific evidence” because they were influenced by nonconforming friends and misleading information on nonconforming websites.22 Apparently, there was no consideration given to the fact that nonconforming parents found the poor science and empty rhetoric buttressing one-size-fits-all vaccine policies entirely unconvincing.23

Journalist and Magazine Attacked for Article Questioning Gardasil Safety

April was also the month that a veteran journalist and radio show host was personally attacked by pediatricians and public health officials in Buffalo, New York for daring to write an article questioning the safety of the Gardasil vaccine and urging parents to make informed vaccine choices.24 Outraged doctors threatened to financially ruin the magazine that published the article by destroying the magazine’s paid advertising base unless the article was retracted.25

Offit Plays Class and Race Card to Demonize Smart Nonconforming Parents

By the end of April, a CNN reporter quoted doctors blaming outbreaks of whooping cough, measles and mumps on unvaccinated people in developed nations, who spread their vaccine safety doubts on the Internet and jeopardize the health of people around the world.26 Crassly playing both the class AND race card, the magical thinking, attention seeking Dr. Offit offered the opinion that “It is the upper middle class, well-educated Caucasian parents who are shunning vaccines. They have generally gone to graduate school, are in positions of management and are used to being in control,” he said flatly.

Doctors playing the blame game apparently disagree about whether nonconforming parents asking questions about vaccines are simply stupid and irrational or are just over-educated, rich white folks refusing to acknowledge the intellectual superiority and infallibility of those with M.D., PhD or MPH written after their names regardless of the color of their skin or how much money they make.

Doctors like Offit,27 Halsey,28, 29, 30 Plotkin,31, 32 Omer33, 34, 35, 36 and others denying vaccine risks are blaming everyone but themselves for the miserable statistic that 1 child in 50 in America develops a type of brain and immune dysfunction labeled autism when it used to be 1 child in 2000 before they dumped three times as many vaccinations on babies.

Regression into Poor Health After Vaccination: A Universal Experience

What doctors drowning in denialism37 refuse to accept is that, today, everybody knows somebody who was healthy, got vaccinated and was never healthy again.38 That pattern of regression into poor health,39 that universal experience of suffering after use of a pharmaceutical product that has a long, well documented history of risks40, 41, 42 and failures,43, 44 is why the public conversation about health and vaccination in the 21st century must and will continue. It will continue until doctors, who are pushing more and more vaccines on children and adults already more highly vaccinated and sicker than ever, come up with a much better explanation than it’s “bad genes,” “better diagnosing” or all “a coincidence.”

Vaccine Makers and Doctors Shielded from Liability Have Ethical Duty

In the US, vaccine manufacturers are shielded from product liability in civil court and doctors promoting and administering vaccines are also shielded from vaccine injury lawsuits.45, 46 Doctors without legal accountability have an even greater ethical duty to encourage patients and parents of minor children to become educated about all risks and honor the vaccination decisions patients or parents make, even if the doctor does not personally agree with the decision made.47, 48

Freedom of thought, speech and conscience are deeply valued and constitutionally protected rights in America.49 The public trust in the integrity of public health policies is destroyed when defensive doctors unwilling to share decision-making power fail to respect the human right to informed consent to medical risk taking and behave like schoolyard bullies instead of compassionate healers committed to, first, doing no harm.

2013-05-27 What comes next? March Against Monsanto. Marianne Williamson speaks.

Food, Freedom of Speech. (Remove some wrong postings from category), Genetically Modified No Responses »

May 272013

There is so much to pass along – don’t know where to begin. The March exceeded all expectations, people in 52 countries involved. And it all got organized in a short time.

Maybe this tells it all: Marianne Williamson talking to the March Against Monsanto in Venice, California. Everyone should see it, even if you are not an American. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Xiaf7of8cxg

(UPDATE: see also 2013-05-31 Stand Up, Speak Out!: Marianne Williamson at TEDxTraverseCity – Williamson addresses the role of women in the resistance.)

NOTE: I contacted Marianne Williamson June 8th to suggest that the role of the Universities should be addressed.

REPLY RECEIVED: Sun 09/06/2013 1:14 PM

SUBJECT: Re: Marianne’s March Against Monsanto talk: Needs the role of the University

Thanks. I know you’re right. Pharmaceutical companies in medical schools, too.

Best,

Marianne

Marianne Williamson

Please join my eMail list

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OCTOBER 12TH! Mark your calendars. No conflicting events, please! (Not even Canadian Thanksgiving!)

March Against Monsanto says:

“We march on SATURDAY, Oct 12, 2013. World Food Day (10/16/13) falls on a Wednesday, so that is not a good day for great turnout. . . . These things do require a bit of planning…”

COMMENT by Paul (Edmonton):

The Movement seems to have decided and since their (USA) thanksgiving is on a different weekend, we follow them. Besides, what better way to celebrate thanksgiving than to be thankful for GM Freedom!

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HERE’S AN IDEA.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP? Especially after listening to Marianne Williamson?!

Conversation with a person from Barrie ON explains it:

– I’ve been wondering – what if some of us started looking at communities that don’t have a March Against Monsanto(MAM) F/B page? Maybe we know someone in such a community. We could contact them to see if they, or someone they know, would set up a MAM F/B group for their community. There would be more Marches then, the next time around. Even if they don’t all have an actual March, still the word would be getting into many more communities. What do you think? . . .

(response positive, but groups are talking different dates.)

– I just looked up info on the MAM Official F/B group. “We march on SATURDAY, Oct 12, 2013.

How about if we work toward that? As you point out – – “Stronger if we all march on the same day and everyone knows what everyone else is doing“.

– I started posting notice of OCTOBER 12th on different groups. So they won’t set up conflicting events. . . .

– Received a reply from MAM San Francisco about getting more communities onto MAM thru F/B.

– (Reply received) sounds great!!!! *high five* lol

– LOL – I am too! “Karen” from San Fran says she wants to help us! We are already 3! This is a blast. Will get back to you after I’ve posted on some more MAM groups.

Let me know if you’d like to help!

(If everyone lets their community groups know about Oct 12^th so there aren’t conflicting events (Thanksgiving aside!), that would be very helpful!)

List of March Against Monsanto (MAM), No to GMO, & GE Free Groups, emphasis on Canada

March Against Bayer-Monsanto 2 Responses »

May 272013

Last updated: Partial update Oct, 2015. A few more updates. March, 2018. Work to be done!

BELOW: Links to anti-GMO groups, centring around MAM (March Against Monsanto). Emphasis on Canadian groups. Scroll down to CANADA.
Most are facebook groups, some are blogs (you don’t have to be on facebook). If the link is facebook, you can tell from the URL. For access to a F/B group if you aren’t on F/B: ask a friend who is.
Place names in blue have had a MAM prior to 2015, but appear to be inactive now.
“Save the Bees” groups are closely related to the Marches Against Monsanto. I have not attempted to represent them in this listing. Sorry! Maybe I will have time later.
There are tons of organics groups, too. They are not represented in this list.

Can’t find the community you are looking for?

Try searching Facebook for “March Against Monsanto” and your place name.
The “events” tab for the official MAM website lists Canadian MAM’s under “North America. (In the beginning the Official site had trouble keeping up with Canada, which is why I started this listing.)

The number of countries that now have MAM’s has grown incredibly! (I went to the official site today, after a long absence.)

MAM 1: May 25, 2013

MAM 2: October 12, 2013

MAM 3: May 24, 2014

MAM, October, 2014: MAM worldwide slated that the next worldwide solidarity action will be on the MAM anniversary weekend – May 23, 2015. There was no MAM in October 2014.

MAM 4: May 23, 2015

MAM 5: Oct 16-17. A convergence on Washington, DC, Under the banner

#FoodJusticeMarch

(A convergence of the protests against GMOs (Monsanto) and against the trade deals. For example, see 2015-10-10 Hundreds of thousands shut down Berlin to protest “Trojan Horse” – – Monsanto’s dream trade deal. The Guardian

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

INTERNATIONAL

Official Website: March Against Monsanto http://www.march-against-monsanto.com/ See “Events” for a listing of groups from around the world. You will also find excellent articles.

March Against Monsanto Education: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Kitimatfightsback/#!/MarchAgainstMonstanto

March Against Monsanto, CHANTS you might want to use: (July 2017. INVALID LINK http://mam-lb.com/march-info/chants/)

Youtube: March Against Monsanto – October 12, 2013 – Meet Me in St Louis (Monsanto Headquarters) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gae8u4OWD4Q&feature=youtu.be

Facebook (International):

March Against Monsanto (MAM) OFFICIAL

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChallengeCETA/#!/MarchAgainstMonstanto?fref=ts

MAM, Millions Against Monsanto by OrganicConsumers. org

https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonstanto?fref=ts#!/millionsagainst

OCCUPY MONSANTO

https://www.facebook.com/groups/468324063241068/#!/occupymonsanto

NO GMO FOOD

VALID working link, even if it shows otherwise, July 2017

https://www.facebook.com/search/str/No%20GMO/pages-named#!/nogmo1

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CANADA

Canada https://www.facebook.com/groups/HashtagOccupyVancouver/#!/groups/570648489633549/
No GMO Canada July 2017 – – INVALID link https://www.facebook.com/search/str/No%20GMO/pages-named#!/Nogmocanada
GMO Free Canada (2 groups)

(1) https://www.facebook.com/GMOFreeCanadaGroup (a campaign in British Columbia to get municipalities to vote “GE Free BC”)(GE = Genetically Engineered)

(2) https://www.facebook.com/groups/gmofreecanada/

CBAN (Canadian Biotechnology Action Network) https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonsantoComoxValley?fref=ts#!/cban.canadian.biotechnology.action.network

ALBERTA

Albertans for Food Safety
No GMO Alberta Canada https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-GMO-Alberta-Canada/117702004999537?notif_t=notify_me
Calgary https://www.facebook.com/search/str/marcg%20against%20monsanto%20calgary/keywords_top?ref=eyJzaWQiOiIwLjg4Mjk2ODg1NzE2MzY4MjkiLCJxcyI6IkpUVkNKVEl5YldGeVkyY2xNakJoWjJGcGJuTjBKVEl3Ylc5dWMyRnVkRzhsTWpCallXeG5ZWEo1SlRJeUpUVkUiLCJndiI6Ijk0YWQwYTU1MTZkN2E4ZDdhOGFlZmIyZjgzYWFmMmU4ZTQyNGIyNTYifQ#!/pages/March-Against-Monsanto-Calgary/160604977445164 (old (May 2013) – http://on.fb.me/XIRXJK)
Cold Lake https://www.facebook.com/groups/Kitimatfightsback/#!/marchagainstmonsantocoldlakealberta?fref=ts
Drayton Valley https://www.facebook.com/events/507452809322728/ (Appears to be inactive. Last checked Apr 15/2015.)
Edmonton https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/468324063241068/Lethbridge
Grande Prairie https://www.facebook.com/groups/Kitimatfightsback/#!/marchagainstmonsanto.gpab
Lethbridge
- GMO Free Lethbridge http://on.fb.me/12pB2uE
- Liberation Lethbridge https://www.facebook.com/groups/601430626567066/
Lloydminster (Appears to be inactive. Last checked Apr 15/2015.) (city sits on the border. Duplicate entry under “Alberta” and “Saskatchewan”): GMO’s and the
March Against Monsanto Movement – Lloydminster Round Table Discussion
Medicine Hat (Inactive. Last checked Apr 15/2015.) http://on.fb.me/YNIBx9
Peace River (Appears to be inactive. Last checked Apr 15/2015.) https://www.facebook.com/groups/168127846710872/
Red Deer Active. People sharing info. Apr 15, 2015. https://www.facebook.com/search/str/m arch%20against/groups-named#!/groups/431212306976515/ (Old one, May 25/13 is http://on.fb.me/ZTNdi6 )
St Albert https://www.facebook.com/groups/Kitimatfightsback/#!/events/289352087898543/
Sherwood Park https://www.facebook.com/events/356421641235632/

BRITISH COLUMBIA

GE Free BC blog (for info, not posting to): http://gefreebc.wordpress.com/
GE Free BC facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GEFreeBC
(obsolete https://www.facebook.com/groups/196639738544/)
Abbotsford inactive. Oct 2014, page is “not available”: https://www.facebook.com/events/505423706172463/#!/events/355879841210688/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

(old page is: http://on.fb.me/14Hp2bh)

Burns Lake inactive Apr 15, 2015
Castlegar and Area https://www.facebook.com/events/1035703869789788/ (Old: http://on.fb.me/YnT284.)
Chilliwack https://www.facebook.com/events/756496974425919/
Creston inactive Apr 15, 2015 https://www.facebook.com/events/523653007718426/ (Old one is http://on.fb.me/149bgf0. This was a very successful March – 167 attendees in a smaller centre.)
Comox Valley f/b plus a website.

GE Free Comox Valley (active Mar 13/18)

https://www.facebook.com/worldcommunity.cv The film “Modified” (genetically modified) is being shown Mar 13/18.)

Facebook appears to be inactive since the 2016 MAM: https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonsantoComoxValley?fref=ts

WEBSITE: Active http://marchagainstmonsantocomoxvalley.wordpress.com/

Apr 10, 2014 message posted: March Against Monsanto Comox Valley is in need of an organizer for May 24, 2014. If an organizer does not come forward, the event will be cancelled. Last year’s organizer is willing to help and share information from last year.

(Inactive) No GMO http://on.fb.me/14ZeuBA)

Borderline active, scroll down to “recent . . “, Apr 15, 2015 https://www.facebook.com/events/374314236001890/

Inactive Apr 15, 2015: World Food Day – Dawson Creek, BC

(OLD ONE May 25 is >> http://on.fb.me/18lWh10)

Kamloops Inactive Apr 15, 2015 (could not find evidence that they held an event in Oct 2013. (Old page, May 2013 is https://www.facebook.com/events/373139002797081/?ref=3#!/MarchAgainstMonsantoKamloops)
Kelowna. Wow! Oct 30, 2014. Kelowna already set up for May 2015: https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonsantoKelowna

Wow! Nov 2013. Kelowna already has its “event” for May 24, 2014 set up!

https://www.facebook.com/events/595116027201849/

(Oct 2013 (old) one is at https://www.facebook.com/events/285219761615461/)

Kitimat Inactive Apr 15, 2015 https://www.facebook.com/events/285219761615461/#!/groups/Kitimatfightsback/
Lumby https://www.facebook.com/search/str/chase%20bc%20March%20agasint%20monsanto%20chase/keywords_top#!/events/1562846043989150/
Nanaimo TWO Groups that are connected:

Nanaimo, GE Free Nanaimo The active page: https://www.facebook.com/gefreenanaimo Contact Jane Bryony-Shaw gefreenanaimo {AT} gmail.com.

Old page: MAM http://on.fb.me/18QoaRR

Penticton https://www.facebook.com/search/str/chase%20bc%20March%20agasint%20monsanto%20chase/keywords_top#!/events/343028332550891/ (Old page, May 2013 is “not available” http://on.fb.me/117kunn)
Prince George http://on.fb.me/XjmM5B
Qualicum Beach Inactive Apr 15, 2015 (had a very good MAM on Oct 12, 2013. But no F/B group.)
Smithers https://www.facebook.com/events/1564434337142529/
Sunshine Coast https://www.facebook.com/search/str/chase%20bc%20March%20agasint%20monsanto%20chase/keywords_top#!/events/1565896167010197/
Surrey Inactive Apr 15, 2015
Terrace Inactive Apr 15, 2015 https://www.facebook.com/events/583599701664731/#!/events/229291110553252/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

(Old event page is http://on.fb.me/14l01QB.

Vancouver page for posting educational info about Monsanto, GM: https://www.facebook.com/groups/164930890343401/.

https://www.facebook.com/mamvancouver is the “like” page for Vancouver MAM.

Organizer Karolyn explains (Nov 2013):

we have the event page, the like page and the community page. There’s three, and there’s about to be a blog — well, blog/website.

Organizer Lili explains (Mar 2014):

Please, LIKE our public page and post there. The posts here often go unnoticed for more than a few days, as we are busy planning the March and keeping our public social media as up to date as possible. When you post to the (Like) page, we will share your posts! The like page is also where most of the updates regarding the March, and calls to action, will be.

A big THANK YOU for all your support and we look forward to seeing you at the March on May 24th!

(Old) Wow! they already have the event page for May 2014 up!! https://www.facebook.com/groups/164930890343401/#!/events/415585315210273/?previousaction=join&ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular&source=1

(Old) Vancouver page for ORGANIZING the Oct 12 March: https://www.facebook.com/groups/164930890343401/#!/events/358912147557584/(Old one, May 2013 is http://on.fb.me/YWq7dW)

Vernon https://www.facebook.com/search/str/marcg%20against%20monsanto%20calgary/keywords_top?ref=eyJzaWQiOiIwLjg4Mjk2ODg1NzE2MzY4MjkiLCJxcyI6IkpUVkNKVEl5YldGeVkyY2xNakJoWjJGcGJuTjBKVEl3Ylc5dWMyRnVkRzhsTWpCallXeG5ZWEo1SlRJeUpUVkUiLCJndiI6Ijk0YWQwYTU1MTZkN2E4ZDdhOGFlZmIyZjgzYWFmMmU4ZTQyNGIyNTYifQ#!/mamvernon (Old – https://www.facebook.com/groups/378332682299581/ ) (Old – http://on.fb.me/10592tm)

Victoria (two different URLs both take you to the same page)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Kitimatfightsback/#!/pages/March-Against-Monsanto-Victoria-BC/131780307023088?fref=nf

https://www.facebook.com/pages/March-Against-Monsanto-Victoria-BC/131780307023088

(OLD ONE is http://on.fb.me/YdHBRr)

Williams Lake https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonsantoWilliamsLake?_rdr; https://www.facebook.com/events/809527109124447/

MANITOBA

No GMO Manitoba Canada https://www.facebook.com/events/324721437631349/#!/pages/No-GMO-Manitoba/222725601114866
Winnipeg http://on.fb.me/YYBwY0
Brandon https://www.facebook.com/events/324721437631349/#!/events/681144098596696/

NEW BRUNSWICK

No GMO New Brunswick Canada No-GMO-New-Brunswick-Canada/238346699546697
Bathurst Group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/669698353099404/; Event page:
Moncton https://www.facebook.com/search/str/march%20against%20monsanto%20moncton/keywords_top?ref=eyJzaWQiOiIwLjIzMjgzNDAxNTQ3NjcwNTA3IiwicXMiOiJKVFZDSlRJeWJXRnlZMmdsTWpCaFoyRnBibk4wSlRJd2JXOXVjMkZ1ZEc4bE1qQnRiMjVqZEc5dUpUSXlKVFZFIiwiZ3YiOiI5NGFkMGE1NTE2ZDdhOGQ3YThhZWZiMmY4M2FhZjJlOGU0MjRiMjU2In0#!/MarchAgainstMonsantoMoncton
(Old – “not available”. http://on.fb.me/ZY5n3s)

NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

No GMO Newfoundland & Labrador Canada https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-GMO-Newfoundland-Labrador-Canada/118526164917170?ref=br_rs
St Johns Inactive Apr 15, 2015 (could not find evidence that they held an event in Oct 2013. (Old page, May 2013 is http://on.fb.me/15WjScJ)

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

No GMO Northwest Territories Canada https://www.facebook.com/search/str/No%20GMO/pages-named#!/pages/No-GMO-Northwest-Territories-Canada/261684363866572

NOVA SCOTIA

MAM Halifax Group Page (Sept 2018, confirmed. Active.) : https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonsantoHalifax

(old MAM Halifax, October march event (refers to the New event page): https://www.facebook.com/events/289702734500548/)

(old – MAM Halifax Event page. Nov 2013: Congratulations Halifax! the May 2014 event is already posted! (Same URL as for Oct 12, 2013 event) https://www.facebook.com/events/146354302212719/

(old – the May 25th 2013 event page is http://on.fb.me/YvVw5I)

No GMO Nova Scotia Canada https://www.facebook.com/search/str/No%20GMO/pages-named#!/pages/No-GMO-Nova-Scotia-Canada
MAM Yarmouth: (Set up for May 2014)https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonsantoHalifax#!/events/241624529350726/

NUNAVUT

No GMO Nunavut Canada https://www.facebook.com/search/str/No%20GMO/pages-named#!/pages/No-GMO-Nunavut-Canada/171828162896069

ONTARIO

No GMO Ontario Canada https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-GMO-Alberta-Canada/117702004999537?notif_t=notify_me#!/pages/No-GMO-Ontario-Canada/232016640179417
Barrie https://www.facebook.com/search/str/march%20against%20monsanto%20moncton/keywords_top?ref=eyJzaWQiOiIwLjIzMjgzNDAxNTQ3NjcwNTA3IiwicXMiOiJKVFZDSlRJeWJXRnlZMmdsTWpCaFoyRnBibk4wSlRJd2JXOXVjMkZ1ZEc4bE1qQnRiMjVqZEc5dUpUSXlKVFZFIiwiZ3YiOiI5NGFkMGE1NTE2ZDdhOGQ3YThhZWZiMmY4M2FhZjJlOGU0MjRiMjU2In0#!/events/1579769932235495/ (Written Oct 2013). There is active conversation on the Barrie page. They are showing the Next March Date (May 24, 2014). It looks like the people intended to join Newmarket for the Oct 2013 MAM. However, cannot find any indication that Newmarket, or “York Region” had a MAM in Oct. 2013) (Old – http://on.fb.me/10DZfwf)
Brantford “Brant GMO Awareness” https://www.facebook.com/search/str/march%20against%20monsanto%20moncton/keywords_top?ref=eyJzaWQiOiIwLjIzMjgzNDAxNTQ3NjcwNTA3IiwicXMiOiJKVFZDSlRJeWJXRnlZMmdsTWpCaFoyRnBibk4wSlRJd2JXOXVjMkZ1ZEc4bE1qQnRiMjVqZEc5dUpUSXlKVFZFIiwiZ3YiOiI5NGFkMGE1NTE2ZDdhOGQ3YThhZWZiMmY4M2FhZjJlOGU0MjRiMjU2In0#!/groups/1419354104953248/

(Old – https://www.facebook.com/events/151741375005924/#!/events/545257142194428/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

(Old – http://on.fb.me/15Rg0tO)

Guelph Inactive Apr 15, 2015 (event page for Oct 12) https://www.facebook.com/events/396268337154759/?ref=3#!/events/680962981932406/ (Old page is http://on.fb.me/186dzkF)
Hamilton Active Apr 15, 2015 Oct 12 event page, Stop Monsanto (Hamilton): https://www.facebook.com/events/431367086950034/#!/groups/338237356278678/.

(old http://on.fb.me/ZTK95A)

Kingston https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonsantoKingston?directed_target_id=329750690480198 (old page is: http://on.fb.me/17mILtz)
Kitchener-Waterloo Inactive Apr 15, 2015 (Oct 2013: Can’t find evidence of activity beyond May 2013) http://on.fb.me/XW9oqC
London http://on.fb.me/16pqZtC (general page)

“Not available” Event page for May 24, 2014: https://www.facebook.com/events/253479984832085/?context=create

Newmarket (York Region – Inactive Apr 15, 2015 the May 25, 2013 March was at Newmarket Courthouse). ( “Not available” http://on.fb.me/YzDm1L.) Oct 15, 2013 Could not find evidence that there was a MAM in Newmarket for Oct 2013. Nor did “York Region” bring up any results.
Niagra – – see “Southern Niagra”
North Bay Inactive Apr 15, 2015 (Oct 2013: Can’t find evidence of activity beyond May 2013)https://www.facebook.com/events/373139002797081/?ref=3#!/groups/134986813362225/
Oshawa https://www.facebook.com/search/str/march%20against%20monsanto%20montreal/keywords_top?ref=eyJzaWQiOiIwLjA3MTc3NTQ4MTM3OTI0Njg4IiwicXMiOiJKVFZDSlRJeWJXRnlZMmdsTWpCaFoyRnBibk4wSlRJd2JXOXVjMkZ1ZEc4bE1qQnRiMjUwY21WaGJDVXlNaVUxUkEiLCJndiI6Ijk0YWQwYTU1MTZkN2E4ZDdhOGFlZmIyZjgzYWFmMmU4ZTQyNGIyNTYifQ#!/groups/136577496525395/

(Old – https://www.facebook.com/events/206566622846730/

(old page, May 25 is https://www.facebook.com/pages/March-Against-Monsanto-Oshawa/160505644112597 ) (also shows May 25: http://is.gd/nJjjHQ)

Ottawa (1) https://www.facebook.com/pages/March-Against-Monsanto-Ottawa/157872841087455 (Old one http://on.fb.me/XvHqSb)
Ottawa/Gatineau Region (2) https://www.facebook.com/search/str/march%20against%20monsanto/pages-named#!/pages/March-Against-Monsanto-OttawaGatineau-Region/344749412321056
St Catherine’s (includes Welland)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/597000970357698/

(old https://www.facebook.com/events/365136820263869/#!/events/569134473145875/ )

Sarnia https://www.facebook.com/events/871007379629653/
Southern Niagra (Millions Against Monsanto) https://www.facebook.com/events/365136820263869/#!/MillionsAgainstMonsantoSouthernNiagara
Sudbury. https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonsantoSudbury

(Old, Sudbury, Oct 2013 >> http://on.fb.me/YxwLBF)

Thunder Bay https://www.facebook.com/pages/March-Against-Monsanto-Ottawa/157872841087455#!/MarchAgainstMonsantoThunderBay
Toronto: Millions Against Monsanto Toronto, Group page https://www.facebook.com/MillionsAgainstMonsantoToronto;

(Old October 12 Event paage: https://www.facebook.com/events/556507851059248/)

(old page, May 25th date) http://on.fb.me/10naV5s

Welland – – – see St Catherines. (old page is Welland Millions Against http://on.fb.me/15kUWec)
Windsor https://www.facebook.com/search/str/march%20against%20monsanto%20moncton/keywords_top?ref=eyJzaWQiOiIwLjIzMjgzNDAxNTQ3NjcwNTA3IiwicXMiOiJKVFZDSlRJeWJXRnlZMmdsTWpCaFoyRnBibk4wSlRJd2JXOXVjMkZ1ZEc4bE1qQnRiMjVqZEc5dUpUSXlKVFZFIiwiZ3YiOiI5NGFkMGE1NTE2ZDdhOGQ3YThhZWZiMmY4M2FhZjJlOGU0MjRiMjU2In0#!/pages/March-Against-Monsanto-Windsor-Ontario/138493736339083

(Old – http://on.fb.me/10uybwz (Sept 9, 2013: sent a message to Cheryl. Has she found help getting re-established for the Oct 12 event? Oct 15, 2013 No evidence that Windsor held a MAM in October.)

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND