By Jaime Lopez
The number of cantons in Costa Rica that have adopted legislation to prohibit the cultivation of potentially dangerous genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is now at 62. These transgenic-free territories are following a legal strategy often called the "anti-Monsanto doctrine" after the world's most powerful distributor of GMO seeds.
The new transgenic-free territories are Vazquez de Coronado and Zarcero. The latter is located in the province of Alajuela and the former in the province of San Jose. Zarcero was once known as the Alfaro-Ruiz canton, and Vazquez de Coronado is named after an early Spanish settler and first colonial governor of Costa Rica (although most people shorten the canton's name to Coronado). These two jurisdictions have something in common: They are known for their quality dairy production and their agricultural output. Coronado has a long tradition of dairy farming, which is the reason for the eponymous national brand of dairy products that rivals Dos Pinos in Costa Rica. Zarcero is the home of a farm-fresh type of cheese that is a favorite among Ticos.
In Coronado, the Environmental Commission took six months to research the people's proposal to join the 61 other cantons in Costa Rica that have become transgenic-free territories by means of municipal codes. This tactic is often considered the final line of defense against companies such as Monsanto that use their powerful connections and high-level horse trading to get results. The company was recently found playing a corporate shell game to surreptitiously introduce GMO seeds in Costa Rica, but the Constitutional Chamber (Sala Cuarta) is currently reviewing that incident.
Environmental activists in Costa Rica often seat in the cantonal meetings while transgenic-free proposals are being considered; this is to ensure that no foul play takes place. A six-month period of research and evaluation such as the one undertaken in Coronado is the norm. The proposals often call for implementation and outreach programs to teach farmers and people about the potential damage that certain GMOs can cause to the soil and ecosystems.
Showing posts with label Almost. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Almost. Show all posts
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Eight Foods You Should Almost Never, Ever Eat
Most soybean, corn, cotton and canola crops in the U.S. are genetically altered. Some experts argue that these crops could pose serious health and environmental risks, but the scientific picture is currently incomplete -- deliberately so.
Agricultural corporations such as Monsanto and Syngenta have restricted independent research on the crops. They have refused to provide independent scientists with seeds, or else have set restrictive conditions that severely limit research. This is legal because under U.S. law, genetically engineered crops are patentable.
The Los Angeles Times reports:
"Agricultural companies defend their stonewalling by saying that unrestricted research could make them vulnerable to lawsuits if an experiment somehow leads to harm, or that it could give competitors unfair insight into their products. But it's likely that the companies fear something else as well: An experiment could reveal that a genetically engineered product is hazardous or doesn't perform as promised."
Even if you don't want to eat genetically engineered foods, you most likely already are doing so. Corn and soy are two of the most common food ingredients, especially in processed foods, and over 90 percent of both these crops in the US are now from GM seeds.
Organic food companies and consumer groups are stepping up their efforts to get the government to exercise more oversight of engineered foods. Critics of current policy argue that the genetically modified (GM) seeds are often contaminating the nearby non-GM crops.
ABC News reports:
"The U.S. government has insisted there's not enough difference between the genetically modified seeds its agencies have approved and natural seeds to cause concern. But Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, more so than his predecessors in previous administrations, has acknowledged the debate over the issue and a growing chorus of consumers concerned about what they are eating."
Sources:
Agricultural corporations such as Monsanto and Syngenta have restricted independent research on the crops. They have refused to provide independent scientists with seeds, or else have set restrictive conditions that severely limit research. This is legal because under U.S. law, genetically engineered crops are patentable.
The Los Angeles Times reports:
"Agricultural companies defend their stonewalling by saying that unrestricted research could make them vulnerable to lawsuits if an experiment somehow leads to harm, or that it could give competitors unfair insight into their products. But it's likely that the companies fear something else as well: An experiment could reveal that a genetically engineered product is hazardous or doesn't perform as promised."
Even if you don't want to eat genetically engineered foods, you most likely already are doing so. Corn and soy are two of the most common food ingredients, especially in processed foods, and over 90 percent of both these crops in the US are now from GM seeds.
Organic food companies and consumer groups are stepping up their efforts to get the government to exercise more oversight of engineered foods. Critics of current policy argue that the genetically modified (GM) seeds are often contaminating the nearby non-GM crops.
ABC News reports:
"The U.S. government has insisted there's not enough difference between the genetically modified seeds its agencies have approved and natural seeds to cause concern. But Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, more so than his predecessors in previous administrations, has acknowledged the debate over the issue and a growing chorus of consumers concerned about what they are eating."
Sources:
Los Angeles Time February 13, 2011
ABC News February 28, 2011
Dr. Mercola's Comments:
George Siemon, CEO of Organic Valley, the nation's largest organic farming cooperative, which had more than $600 million in sales last year, put it succinctly in the above article from ABC news.
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