This article is misleading and divisive to the struggle in the organic community.
We all need to unite to fight the spread of GMO crops, which threaten traditional non-GMO crops as well as organic crops. This article is based upon one blog written by Ronnie Cummins, of the Organic Consumers Association, and the businesses mentioned have told a completely different story.
I see no reason to punish 1200 family farmers who contribute to both Organic Valley Coop and Stoneyfield Farms, and many organic merchants who sell their products at Whole Foods, yet this type of article is creating an economic back-lash against these businesses which will surely hurt the organic community as a whole. And count that as a win for Monsanto. No one talked to these merchants for this article, nor to the USDA, or any other players here, to find out what really happened, and to give them a chance to explain their side of the story, which is that the government took the "ban" GMO alfalfa option off the table in DECEMBER, and gave two options. A few organic businesses who had been INVITED to participate by the USDA urged the "coexistence" option which consisted of rules for the GMO seed and yes, compensation for organic farmers whose crops might be cross bred with the GMO alfalfa through natural means. That was an attempt to get some measure of safeguard, and it failed. Why that is "caving" I have no idea. These businesses fought for YEARS to ban GMO alfalfa, but were unsuccessful. To demonize them instead of the real players: the USDA, the developer of the GMO alfalfa, Monsanto, and the many lobbyists who spent millions to get the ban totally lifted, makes no sense to me.
In this age of high speed media, cut and paste reporting is irresponsible. Your readership would be much better served by a bit of fact checking, and providing a broader context for the article.
While spin is always out there, a bit of due diligence would assist you in avoiding the reactionary position of repeating another reporters misguidance.
Here is what Whole Foods has to say on the subject: http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2011/01/no-regulations-ge-alfalfa/
Now, iwth this in mind, please inform your readership how much of this is PR, and what is fact.
Many Thanks,
Colleen Kendrick
If the beverage industry etc. does not want to be called a front group, they should be up front and honest instead of hiding behind the name Americans Against Food Taxes. They are well aware of what they are doing and know that many Americans will believe their propaganda!
This is terrible. There is also that if one really researches GMO crops that the seed unfortunately have flown or drifted to other fields through the wind. According to one study there is sadly really no NON GMO crops left out here. Then chemtrails drop tons of toxins in our air and land.
As genetically modified foods are NOT natural in any way.......this is frighting.
This article is misleading and divisive to the struggle in the organic community.
We all need to unite to fight the spread of GMO crops, which threaten traditional non-GMO crops as well as organic crops. This article is based upon one blog written by Ronnie Cummins, of the Organic Consumers Association, and the businesses mentioned have told a completely different story.
I see no reason to punish 1200 family farmers who contribute to both Organic Valley Coop and Stoneyfield Farms, and many organic merchants who sell their products at Whole Foods, yet this type of article is creating an economic back-lash against these businesses which will surely hurt the organic community as a whole. And count that as a win for Monsanto. No one talked to these merchants for this article, nor to the USDA, or any other players here, to find out what really happened, and to give them a chance to explain their side of the story, which is that the government took the "ban" GMO alfalfa option off the table in DECEMBER, and gave two options. A few organic businesses who had been INVITED to participate by the USDA urged the "coexistence" option which consisted of rules for the GMO seed and yes, compensation for organic farmers whose crops might be cross bred with the GMO alfalfa through natural means. That was an attempt to get some measure of safeguard, and it failed. Why that is "caving" I have no idea. These businesses fought for YEARS to ban GMO alfalfa, but were unsuccessful. To demonize them instead of the real players: the USDA, the developer of the GMO alfalfa, Monsanto, and the many lobbyists who spent millions to get the ban totally lifted, makes no sense to me.
In this age of high speed media, cut and paste reporting is irresponsible. Your readership would be much better served by a bit of fact checking, and providing a broader context for the article.
While spin is always out there, a bit of due diligence would assist you in avoiding the reactionary position of repeating another reporters misguidance.
Here is what Whole Foods has to say on the subject: http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2011/01/no-regulations-ge-alfalfa/
Now, iwth this in mind, please inform your readership how much of this is PR, and what is fact.
Many Thanks,
Colleen Kendrick
If the beverage industry etc. does not want to be called a front group, they should be up front and honest instead of hiding behind the name Americans Against Food Taxes. They are well aware of what they are doing and know that many Americans will believe their propaganda!
This is terrible. There is also that if one really researches GMO crops that the seed unfortunately have flown or drifted to other fields through the wind. According to one study there is sadly really no NON GMO crops left out here. Then chemtrails drop tons of toxins in our air and land.
As genetically modified foods are NOT natural in any way.......this is frighting.
They are a great Portland chain.
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