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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2013)
6 • The Southwest Portland Post Dear Earthtalk: What is the “Mon- santo Protection Act” and why are environmentalists so upset about it? – Rita Redstone, Milwaukee, WI The so-called Monsanto Protection Act is actually a provision (officially known as Section 735) within a re- cently passed Congressional spending bill, H.R. 933, which exempts biotech companies from litigation in regard to the making, selling and distribution of genetically engineered (GE) seeds and plants. President Obama signed the bill and its controversial rider into law in March 2013 much to the dismay of environ- mentalists. It means that Monsanto and other companies that supply the majority of the nation’s crop seeds can continue to produce GE products re- gardless of any potential court orders stating otherwise. Opponents of GE foods believe that FEATURES giving such companies a free reign over the production of such potentially dan- gerous organisms regardless of judicial challenge is a bad idea—especially given how little we still know about the biological and ecological implications of widespread use of GE crops. Today more than 90 percent of the corn, soybeans, cotton, sugar beets and canola planted in the U.S. are derived from seeds genetically engineered by Monsanto and other companies to resist pests and thus increase yields. Aviva Shen of the ThinkProgress blog reports that, instead of reducing farmers’ use of toxic pesticides and herbicides, GE seeds are having the op- posite effect in what has become a race to keep faster and faster developing “superweeds” and “superbugs” at bay. With Congress and the White House refusing to regulate GE crops, the court system has remained a last line of defense for fighting the widespread adoptIon of genetic engineering—until now, that is, thanks to H.R. 933. Monsanto isn’t the only seed compa- ny heavy into genetic engineering, but it is the biggest and most well-known and spends millions of dollars each year on lobbyists to keep it that way. Critics point out that the company has spent decades stacking government agencies with its executives and direc- tors. “Monsanto’s board members have worked for the EPA, advised the U.S. Department of Agriculture and served June 2013 on President Obama’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotia- tions,” reports the group Food & Water Watch. “The prevalence of Mon- santo’s directors in these highly influential positions begs a closer look at how they’re able to push the pro-GE agenda within the government and influence public opinion.” “The judicial review pro- More than 90 percent of U.S.-grown corn, soybeans, cotton, cess is an essential element sugar beets and canola are derived from seeds genetically of U.S law and serves as a engineered by Monsanto and other companies to resist vital check on any Federal pests. (iStockPhoto) Agency decision that may negatively impact human tions like Monsanto, DuPont and Dow health, the environment or livelihoods,” Chemical have created by subverting reports Food Democracy Now! our basic democratic rights,” adds Food “Yet this provision seeks an end-run Democracy Now!, “but it is a basic around such judicial review by pre- right that citizens in 62 other countries emptively deciding that industry can around the world already enjoy, includ- set its own conditions to continue to ing Europe, Russia, China, India, South sell biotech seeds, even if a court may Africa and Saudi Arabia.” find them to have been wrongfully ap- CONTACTS: ThinkProgress, www. proved.” thinkprogress.org; Food & Water Another concern of safe food advo- Watch, www.foodandwaterwatch.org; cates now is getting the government Food Democracy Now! www.foodde- to require food makers to list GE in- mocracy.org. gredients clearly on product labels so EarthTalk® is written and edited by consumers can make informed choices Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a reg- accordingly. istered trademark of E - The Environmental “Not only is [GE] labeling a reason- Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send able and common sense solution to the questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. continued controversy that corpora- PoSt a to Z BuSineSS CaRd diReCtoRy 503-244-6933 Your Mow & Go Service Average lawn mowing less than $25 with over 10,467 served. We offer free estimates, serve the Portland metro area & we do not require a contract. Save by signing up today & get your lawn into shape for summer fun! 503-244-6933 (503) 244-2314 info@cleancut1.com www. cleancut1.com Your Ad Here Just $69/month for a Year! Lic # 370189-91 Fully Insured