I wish I could tell you ALL the amazing victories flowing in. The work in the trenches over the years pays off.
The big food chain in the U.S., Kroger, will end its sales of milk from cows injected with recombinant bovine growth hormone. And the U.S. Patent Office has ruled against four of Monsanto’s patents on GMO crops. … Citizen action in one location feeds action in another.
I am concerned that if the large American grocery stores block the sales of milk from cows injected with rBGH, Canada will be used more and more as a dumping ground for it. Hence my letter to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency below.
Cheers! /Sandra
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SENT: August 9, 2007
SUBJECT: Recent updates on Monsanto’s products in USA. Questions re Canada.
TO: (email addresses removed. They will be obsolete.)
– CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
– Chuck Strahl, Minister Responsible (Agriculture)
– Carole Swan, President
– B. Evans, Executive VP
– Dilhari Fernando, Exec Dir, Strategic Issues
– C. Prince, VP Operations
– Louise Duke, CFIA Chief of Import & Domestic Office
– Kirstan Finstad, near head of Plant Bio Safety Office
– Stephen Yarrow, Director Plant Bio Safety Office
Dear Chuck Strahl, Carole Swan and other Civil Servants in the CFIA,
Regarding rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone), will you please confirm:
– rBGH (or rBST) is illegal in Canada because it was denied registration.
– there are many milk products from the USA imported into Canada.
– “rBGH milk” comes into Canada illegally through this importation.
– there is no enforcement to stop “rBGH milk” products from entering the Canadian food supply.
I will appreciate knowing, in plain and direct language, what the situation is with rBGH milk coming into Canada. It may require corrective action.
Better to table and deal with a problem rather than deny its existence.
In case you aren’t aware of recent developments in the USA (July-August 2007) regarding Monsanto’s rBGH and some patents on its GMO crops, they are appended:
– USA FOOD GIANT KROGER ANNOUNCES END TO SALES OF MILK CONTAINING SYNTHETIC HORMONES
– USA PATENT AND TRADE OFFICE REJECTS FOUR MONSANTO PATENTS RELATED TO GMO CROPS.
Earlier, you received the New York Times report on court rulings regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s failure to follow the law, in its licensing of Monsanto’s alfalfa. It is related and appended for your convenience.
The gene-altered crop articles appended are to help keep Government officials abreast of information being circulated in the public domain. I hope it will be helpful to you.
Thank-you in advance for your answers regarding the status of rBGH milk products coming into Canada.
Best wishes,
Sandra Finley
(contact info)
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CONTENTS
(1) COMMENTARY
(1A) BACKGROUND FOR NEWCOMERS
(1B) MILK FROM COWS INJECTED WITH rBGH COMES INTO CANADA NONETHELESS. ILLEGAL BUT NO ENFORCEMENT
(2) LETTER TO HEADS AT CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY (CFIA)
(3) USA FOOD GIANT KROGER ANNOUNCES END TO SALES OF MILK CONTAINING SYNTHETIC HORMONES, DENVER POST
(4) USA PATENT AND TRADE OFFICE REJECTS FOUR MONSANTO PATENTS RELATED TO GMO CROPS
(5) JUDGE RULES U.S. DEPT OF AGRICULTURE BROKE THE LAW IN ITS APPROVAL OF MONSANTO’S GMO ALFALFA, NEW YORK TIMES
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(1) COMMENTARY
Monsanto is greatly diversified in its operations, even into “organic” companies. But it will be brought to heel. Its corrupting influence on Government will be ended, along with the influence of the other corporations in the pharma/chem/biotech complex. Perseverance bears fruit. The growing mass of informed people is more formidable than Monsanto. (In the past couple of weeks we have added 50+ people just to my part of our network.) We are shoulder-to-shoulder with citizens in the U.S., India, Europe, Africa, South America – the information flow doesn’t stop at national borders.
News out of the U.S.:
– Kroger food chain will no longer stock milk with rBGH (growth hormone injected into cows) as of Feb 2008
– The Public Patent Foundation represents the Public Interest in the U.S. patent system. (I don’t believe that we have a similar NGO in Canada? If we don’t, it’s not because we don’t need it!) Four of Monsanto’s patents on GMO crops have been rejected because of PubPat’s interventions. Hallelujah!
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(1A) BACKGROUND FOR NEWCOMERS
– Monsanto tried bribery of Health Canada officials to get rBGH registered in Canada (early 90’s). Senator Eugene Whelan was instrumental in getting a Senate hearing. The growth hormone was not registered and is therefore illegal in Canada (as I understand the registration system).
– The Europeans also ruled against rBGH.
– Monsanto got it registered in the U.S. American citizens have been fighting to get rid of it for years. The health effects for the animals and now for human health are problematic.
Monsanto uses its usual mafia tactics (the threat of breaking people’s financial well-being by taking them to court) on small dairies in the U.S.
We circulated the newspaper reports on the Vermont dairy Monsanto took to court for labelling its milk or cows as being free of bovine growth hormone (words to effect). I still shake my head.
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(1B) MILK FROM COWS INJECTED WITH rBGH COMES INTO CANADA NONETHELESS. ILLEGAL BUT NO ENFORCEMENT
– milk from cows injected with rBGH is, nonetheless, getting into Canada.
I met and talked with Ralph Ferguson, retired Liberal MP from near Sarnia ON (talk was about community research organized by Ralph, into the incredibly high rates of cancer in their rural area (Sarnia-London)).
In a digression Ralph mentioned the shiny tanker trucks that carry milk across the border at Sarnia, from the U.S. The milk will be from cows injected with rBGH. There is no evidence that the Government of Canada enforces our regulations on rBGH.
As I understand from other conversations, many of the “milk solids” used in Canada, in various milk products (including milk off the shelf that has “milk solids” added) – many of these “solids” are imported from the U.S.
You know very well that big commercial American dairies inject their animals with rBGH to artificially increase milk production for the “milk solids”.
– The Dept of Health officials who blew the whistle on Monsanto’s attempted bribery were rewarded by losing their jobs. The Government of Canada has regulations to satisfy us. It doesn’t enforce the regulations, to satisfy Monsanto. It won’t take Monsanto on.
– Which takes us to the U.S. Patent Office’s recent denial of patent to Monsanto for some GMO crops. We’ve circulated information on the extent to which Monsanto has people in positions of influence in the U.S. Government.
In Canada, the Government of Canada had a 50-50 partnership with Monsanto for the development of GMO wheat (citizens achieved victory in fighting down this gene-altered wheat). But the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, through “Government fronts” – Agwest Biotech and Biotech Canada – intervened in the Supreme Court on the side of Monsanto, when Monsanto took Percy Schmeiser to Court. Of course, the Governments won’t do their job of regulation in the public interest. (Exception: the Government of Ontario intervened on the side of Schmeiser.)
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(2) LETTER TO HEADS AT CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY (CFIA)
(The letter is at the top of this email)
Update: Carole Swan is the president of the CFIA (no longer Francois Guimont).
If you wish to contact the CFIA through their web-site, go to:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/tools/feedback/commene.shtml
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(3) USA FOOD GIANT KROGER ANNOUNCES END TO SALES OF MILK CONTAINING SYNTHETIC HORMONES
Kroger Co.: http://www.kroger.com
http://www.denverpost.com/healthcare/ci_6574578
Monsanto: Time to Cry Over Spilled rBGH Milk?
Source: Kroger Company press release, August 1, 2007
Monsanto is discovering a troubling new side effect from use of Posilac, its controversial recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) injected into cows to increase milk production: use of rBGH is shriveling up the market for milk from Posilac-treated cows. In response to growing consumer demand for hormone-free dairy products, retailers are increasingly rejecting milk products derived from rBGH-injected cows. The Kroger Company announced in an August 1 press release that by February 2008 the company will sell only milk that is certified free of synthetic hormones. This represents no small blow to Monsanto; Kroger operates 2,458 supermarkets and other stores in 31 states, as well as 15 dairies and three ice cream plants. Kroger’s holdings include the major grocery chains Ralphs, Fred Meyer, City Market, Food 4 Less, and King Soopers. Kroger joins Starbucks and other retailers in rejecting use of Posilac. The bottom line? A little more pain for Monsanto and little less pain for the cows.
08/08/2007
Kroger launches broader organic push
By DAN SEWELL AP Business Writer
CINCINNATI—The nation’s largest traditional grocer is expanding organic food offerings and targeting a broader range of customers for the fast-growing segment.
The new push by Kroger Co., which was launched Wednesday, features its own brand of organic foods, from pasta to peanut butter, and displays them throughout the store, outside their usual home in natural foods sections.
Starting with 65 items, Kroger expects to double its Private Selection brand organics by the end of the year.
Linda Severin, vice president for corporate brands, said marketing under the slogan “Organics for Everyone” will appeal to consumers who don’t focus their shopping on organic foods but are interested in trying them. The private brand line generally will be priced lower than other organics Kroger sells.
“This responds to customers who just want to make a smarter food choice and start opening their lives to organic,” Severin said. “It’s a way for people to sort of put their toe in the water.”
Kroger’s line will carry the U.S. Department of Agriculture seal for organic foods, which are free of pesticides and hormones.
Kroger, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other major grocery sellers have been increasing selections of organic and natural foods in response to rising demand and the growth of chains such as Whole Foods Market Inc. and Wild Oats Markets Inc.
The Organic Trade Association says that while organic foods comprised less than 3 percent of total food sales in 2006, annual percentage sales growth in the past decade has been in the high teens into the twenties, up to $16.7 billion.
“Organics is probably the hottest thing going in the food market right now,” said Ted Taft, managing director of Meridian Consulting Group. “The conventional grocery channel has seen that growth and seen that as something they need to have.”
He said Kroger and other large chains can offer lower prices than specialty stores and appeal to shoppers who are worried about organics for only certain items, such as milk.
“There are very few consumers that everything they have has to be organic,” Taft said. “If you go to a Kroger, you have options.”
Bruce Silverman, global vice president of private label for Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods, said organics have always been a Whole Foods cornerstone.
“When new competitors begin experimenting with offering organic foods, they are helping Whole Foods Market further our mission for the world to enjoy more organic and natural foods,” he said in a statement.
Ronnie Cummins, national director of the Organic Consumers Association, said that while Pleasanton-Calif.-based Safeway Inc. and some regional supermarket chains have had success with organic offerings, organic advocates are wary of giant, bottom-line companies in the market.
“They’re more concerned about their quarterly profits than their sustainability,” Cummins said. “The organic market segment is the wave of the future, and it’s not just people looking for an organic label and saying, ‘Where can I get it the cheapest?'”
Cummins noted approvingly that Kroger last week announced plans to begin selling milk that is certified as free of synthetic hormones.
The company, which operates 2,458 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states, some under local names, also is offering gluten-free items such as crackers in its private brand, for those who want to avoid the wheat protein, and recently launched a milk brand that can help reduce cholesterol.
Kroger five years ago introduced a Naturally Preferred line of foods, which includes some organic foods and contain no artificial colors, preservatives or flavors, and many of its stores have a special section called Nature’s Market.
“Customers are telling us they want more of these products,” said Nancy Moon-Eilers, vice president for natural foods procurement and merchandising.
“Organic growth has been really strong, and I don’t see that easing up any time soon.”
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(4) USA PATENT AND TRADE OFFICE REJECTS FOUR MONSANTO PATENTS RELATED TO GMO CROPS
For those that know of the unethical shenanigans of Monsanto, this is a major coup for farmers worldwide, who can resume saving their seed without the shadow of Monsanto lawsuits hanging over them.
<Link no longer valid>
Sharon
San Francisco
NEW YORK – July 24, 2007 — The Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has rejected four key Monsanto patents related to genetically modified crops that PUBPAT challenged last year because the agricultural giant is using them to harass, intimidate, sue – and in some cases literally bankrupt – American farmers.
In its Office Actions rejecting each of the patents, the USPTO held that evidence submitted by PUBPAT, in addition to other prior art located by the Patent Office’s Examiners, showed that Monsanto was not entitled to any of the patents.
Monsanto has filed dozens of patent infringement lawsuits asserting the four challenged patents against American farmers, many of whom are unable to hire adequate representation to defend themselves in court. The crime these farmers are accused of is nothing more than saving seed from one year’s crop to replant the following year, something farmers have done since the beginning of time.
One study of the matter found that, “Monsanto has used heavy-handed investigations and ruthless prosecutions that have fundamentally changed the way many American farmers farm. The result has been nothing less than an assault on the foundations of farming practices and traditions that have endured for centuries in this country and millennia around the world, including one of the oldest, the right to save and replant crop seed.” The lawsuits filed by Monsanto against American farmers include Monsanto Company v. Mitchell Scruggs, et al, 459 F.3d 1328 (Fed. Cir. 2006), Monsanto Company v. Kem Ralph individually, et al, 382 F.3d 1374 (Fed. Cir. 2004) and Monsanto Company v. Homan McFarling, 363 F.3d 1336 (Fed. Cir. 2004).
Although Monsanto has the opportunity to respond to the Patent Office’s rejections of the patents (U.S. Patents Nos. 5,164,316, 5,196,525, 5,322,938 and 5,352,605), third party requests for re-examination, like the ones filed by PUBPAT against the four Monsanto patents, are successful in having the reviewed patents either changed or completely revoked more than two-thirds of the time.
“We are extremely pleased that the Patent Office has agreed with us that Monsanto does not deserve these patents that it has used to unfairly bully American farmers,” said Dan Ravicher, PUBPAT’s Executive Director.
“Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end of the harm being caused to the public by Monsanto’s aggressive assertion of these patents, which threatens family farms and a diverse American food supply.”
More information, including copies of the Office Actions issued by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office rejecting the four Monsanto patents, can be found at PUBPAT > Monsanto Anti-Farmers Patents.
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