US Lawmaker Slams Monsanto Provision in Fast Track Bill for TPP

Published 29 April 2015

“Call it the smoking gun,” said Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio. “Proof that fast track and massive free trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership are written by and for multinational corporations such as agriculture giant Monsanto. Instead of using trade deals as an opportunity to protect and strengthen consumer rights by joining the countries which require genetically engineered food to be labeled, this administration wants to benefit wealthy corporations at the expense of the public.”

http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/US...50429-0030.html

Moms Across America...

Moms Meetup May 2, 2015 Live Broadcast Moms Across the World

Streamed live on May 2, 2015

Does you family have allergies, asthma, auto immune, diabetes, digestive disorders, depression or cancer? Let's gather up for a live International Call to Action for Healthy Communities! Experts Jeffrey M. Smith, Dr. Vandana Shiva, Evagellos Valliantos, Dr. Michelle Perro, Karen Austin Dagget with Zen Honeycutt hosting. Great info and new solutions! The call is geared towards Moms, but all are welcome. Ask questions on the page of www.momsacrosstheworld.com/live

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecmjNR0_jvA

Dr Michael Antoniou, Molecular Biologist: 'MADGE Talks: Sources and mechanisms of health risks from GMO foods and glyphosate-based herbicides

Sydney, Australia, 24 March 2015

"In summary, I would say that based on the current evidence alone a safe dose of glyphosate or round up is actually unknown and that we should simply just withdraw it from the market and in terms of gmos in general...I believe that the studies conducted to date show clear evidence of toxicity especially to liver and kidney function in controlled animal feeding studies including even on the short term basis. What is causing this toxicity from gmo consumption can be from the gmo transgenic product, the bt toxin, the herbicide, especially glyphosate, and the adjuvant residues or the mutagentic effect of the gm transformation process. I believe there is evidence that it is a combination of all of these three but particulary the glyphosate adjuvant residues I believe are a major contributing factor and so on that note, I would say that we need to conduct, we need to withdraw, I would go as far to say since it has not been possible you cannot claim based on the inadequacy of the test requested by regulators and on the available evidence, at present no gmo crop or food can be categorically stated as safe to consume especially on a long term life long basis and as we published and as a result, we say there is no scientific consensus on gmo food safety despite what the industry and the pro gmo lobby may say."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U-gRNp4Rz4

http://findourcommonground.com/food-facts/local-organically-grown-food/

Local and Organically Grown Food

How do you define local food? Maryland farmer Jennifer Schmidt wants consumers to know that even some canned foods could be considered local for many people. Listen to her story in the video.

Local/Organic FactsInfographic #1Infographic #2
Is buying from local farms better for the environment?
Not necessarily. The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University reports that the number of transportation miles and energy used to produce so-called “locally grown” food turns out to be great indicators of what is local, but not of environmental impact. Sometimes it takes more energy to grow and harvest local food than it does to grow it far away and have it shipped. Sustainability has many complicated facets beyond the carbon footprint, including soil tillage, crop protection and fertilizer use, waste handling, shipping and water use.
Buying from local farms helps support area farmers but does not ensure that farmers grow enough food to help feed a rapidly increasing global population. Only 20 percent of U.S. farmland is located near metropolitan areas. As our population grows and competes for land, energy and water, U.S. farmers will need to be even more efficient and productive. Small, local farms will have a niche but cannot alone sustainably or practically address all future food production needs.
Should I always try to buy organic foods?
Organic does not necessarily mean a healthier product. In fact, a comprehensive review of some 400 scientific papers on the health impacts of organically grown foods, published in the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, concluded organic and conventional food remain equally healthy.
All foods – whether organic or nonorganic – must meet certain health and safety regulations before being sold to consumers. Several U.S. government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), monitor the food production chain through regulations and inspections from farm to fork to ensure that all food is safe.
Understanding what classifies food as organic is complex. The production processes involved in growing or raising food qualify it as organic, not the final product itself. Organic classification should not be an automatic green light indicating the quality or safety of a product.
Is organic food more nutritious?
The USDA, which certifies organic production, makes no claims that organically grown food is more nutritious than conventionally grown food. Organic food proves to be only different in how it is grown, handled and processed.
In the case of milk, stringent government standards include testing all types of milk for antibiotic and other residues to ensure that both organic milk and conventional milk remain equally pure, safe and nutritious. Organic or traditional, all milk contains the same valuable nutrients.
Why is organic food often more expensive?
Organic production can increase management costs and risks for some farmers and ranchers. Organic crop production actually represents only a very small portion of total U.S. food production. U.S. farmers and ranchers plant about 3 million acres of organic crops and have about 2 million acres of rangeland and pasture in organic systems. Those figures represent less than 1 percent of total U.S. land being farmed today.

http://www.nbcneb.com/home/headlines/Som...hl7zD-I.twitter


Some Farmers on Edge After Chipotle's GMO-free Move (Except it's not, false advertising, but anything to make a buck for a giant corporation.)

Updated: Wed 5:11 AM, Apr 29, 2015
By: Kim Cung - Email
Home / Headlines List / Article

Some farmers in Nebraska are on edge after Chipotle made an unprecedented move. The fast-casual chain is the first national restaurant company to use only non-GMO ingredients. Some farmers say Chipotle's move adds to the idea that GMOs are harmful.

A spokesperson with Chipotle says this isn't about good or bad, but about choice, and Chipotle makes their choices based off what they think is best for their restaurants and customers.

Since he was a teenager working on his parents farm in Giltner, Zach Hunnicutt remembers GMOs.

"We've been raising GMOs for close to 20 years, about as long as they've been available," said Hunnicutt.

In a statement Monday, Chipotle Founder Steve Ells said, "There is a lot of debate about genetically modified foods. Though many countries have already restricted or banned the use of GMO crops, it's clear that a lot of research is still needed... While that debate continues, we decided to move to non-GMO ingredients."

That statement doesn't sit tight with Hunnicutt. "To make this big public announcement that kind of implies that the vast majority of farmers are doing something wrong, that's pretty frustrating."

In addition to burritos, Chipotle is known for its "Food with Integrity" mantra. On its website, Chipotle says they make an extra effort in partnering with farmers and ranchers who focus on quality and responsibility. Hunnicutt says differently.

"No farmer has an interest in hurting their animals. Sacrificing their integrity for a dollar. Blending the two, I think, adds to the fear and division around food," said Hunnicutt.

Speaking of fear, Hunnicutt says GMOs aren't harmful. The sweet corn he grows on his farm is GMO and he said there's no downside.

"It tastes better than it used to, it's healthier, it has fewer bugs in it, it's easier to keep weeds away from it and my kids will eat as much of it as we'll give to them," said Hunnicutt. He added he keeps his children away from dangerous things on the farm, including moving equipment, but GMOs aren't dangerous.

Before buying into it, Hunnicutt said he hopes consumers do their own research.

"This goes right along with the Willie Nelson ad," said Hunnicutt, referencing Chipotle's most famous ad featuring a farmer who decides to let his animals roam free set to Willie Nelson's rendition of The Scientist. "It's not helpful to anything except selling burritos. There's a bigger story to be told with our food supply then just Chipotle's view."

From a farming perspective, Hunnicutt and other farmers said GMOs have significantly improved farming for them. They don't have to do as much tillage, use as much fuel and the soil is healthier.

Clinton Foundation a cesspool of corporate poisoners, junk food companies, and pushers of vaccines and GMOs

Sunday, May 03, 2015 by: Jonathan Benson

...top contributors include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is on record as wanting to see every child in the world jabbed with dozens of vaccines; the Walmart corporation, which is the world's leading supplier of Chinese-made consumer crap; Coca-Cola, one of the top contributors to the diabetes epidemic; Goldman Sachs, which profited heavily from the central bank-caused housing collapse; and many other corporate players.

http://www.naturalnews.com/049579_Hillary_Clinton_GMOs_election.html#ixzz3ZCF548j1

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-...ndation-donors/

MAY 1, 2015 by MARCO TORRES

6 Natural Solutions To Decontaminate Soil

Keep in mind that no matter what urban farmers have to do to grow them, they're better off enjoying their own fruits and vegetables than those bought at a grocery store. , In fact, lead contamination may be a minor issue when you consider the dangers of conventional agriculture when farmers are spraying their crops with pesticides and herbicides whose concentrations are far more lethal.

http://preventdisease.com/news/15/050115...tm_medium=email

What the Attack on Dr. Oz Is Really All About

Date: 05/02/2015 Written by: Jon Barron

That said, the attacks on Dr. Oz expressed in the letter to Columbia (as well as in the Senate subcommittee hearings held earlier this year) are demonstrably designed to support Monsanto and the GMO industry as a whole. This is not guesswork. You can actually trace the money back to Monsanto. Let's start by taking a look at the letter in question.

At this point, I think it's worth taking a look at the doctors who signed the letter, for it is there that we begin to learn what the true purpose of the letter really was.

http://jonbarron.org/doctors-and-drugs/attack-dr-oz-GMO-columbia-university#.VUfAcI0tH3g

What it is really about is that he is a Dr. using his position to sell crap.

Even his Columbia colleagues are calling for him to resign or stop.

Fair-minded article I'd say.



Defending Dr. Oz

Christina Pirello
Huffpost Healthy Living

04/27/2015


"There's more than one way to wellness... and it's not always conventional.

The information he shares is designed to open our eyes to ideas; ideas that could guide our feet on the path to feeling... and being our best selves (and yes, to provide entertaining, informative... and sometimes dramatic television).

Some of the ideas and theories he shares are in direct conflict with the thinking of conventional medicine and yet he fearlessly moves forward. When Dr. Oz discusses the possibilities of natural products aiding in the relief of any number of symptoms that ail us, is the outrage he experiences from his colleagues the result of noble concern for the American public?

Or could it be something else? Could special interests like GMO proponents and the pharmaceutical machine that thrives on Americans remaining out of shape and sick be driving this witch hunt?

What's really going on here?

As these 10 doctors (and a host of journalists) call for Dr. Oz's head on a platter, I might offer another idea. As a professor at the Department of Surgery at Columbia University since 2001, he directs the Cardiovascular Institute and Complementary Medicine Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Pretty impressive, I'd say. Do we really think that Dr. Oz doesn't understand how medicine (alternative or otherwise) works in the body?

And while he does enthusiastically and passionately endorse the effectiveness of various natural products or ideas, Dr. Oz rarely endorses a product outright. That doesn't excuse the fact that companies lift clips and quotes from his show and use them as evidence that he does, in fact, endorse a product. The "Dr. Oz" affect is a real thing and he certainly has responsibility when his name is used in association with a product. He did launch a campaign asking people to report to his producers when they saw his name as a product endorsement, but advertising and free speech have given rise to his association with a number of dubious products and their claims. That's on him... and on us to decipher what is sensible and what is, well, not so much...

But is that the problem? Or is the problem that evidence-based science has not empirically proven that alternatives to conventional medicine can be effective? At one time, we thought the world was flat and lashed out at anyone who said otherwise."

Read on: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christina-pirello/defending-dr-oz_b_7139636.html

The "Massive Con" Causing a Suicide Every 30 Minutes

April 03, 2012

The introduction of genetically engineered seeds, and the coercion of Indian farmers to use them, has led to the largest wave of recorded suicides in human history.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/04/03/gmo-crops-affect-farmers.aspx

Video of the top ten (10) food companies in the entire World. 11 minutes.

https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonstanto/videos/1003238469694673/

Please Stand with Senator Bernie Sanders: Make secret trade agreements (TPP) public. Please sign this petition. Only your name, email and zip code are needed.

http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Bernie_Sanders_TPP/

Top scientists warn the most commonly used herbicide in the world probably causes cancer!

Monsanto is demanding the World Health Organisation retract their ground-breaking report. And experts say the only way to ensure the science is not silenced is if the public demands action, now.

The regulatory system is renowned for being secretive and captured by the agro-chemical industry. But we have a unique moment right now -- the US is officially reassessing glyphosate, with similar processes underway in Canada, Europe, and Brazil. And the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and El Salvador are all looking at a ban.

The threat is clear -- this poison is used on our food, our fields, our playgrounds, and our streets. Let's get it suspended.

Join the urgent call on the right and tell everyone.

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/monsanto_dont_silence_science_us_rb/?bpAjTcb&v=57326

Infant formula is genetically engineered

Narrated by Mrs. Lisa Oz (2 minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE13HC01kxI&feature=youtu.be

Are GMO Foods, Vaccines, and Big Pharma Producing an Infertile Generation?

May 5, 2015

We are being warned that our exposure to pesticides, industrial chemicals, processed food, food additives, sugar, trans fats, genetically modified food, vaccines, medications, radiation, tobacco, excessive alcohol, recreational drugs, cleaning products, synthetic fragrances, and other toxins are all having a negative effect upon the ability to conceive and produce healthy babies.

There are research studies scattered throughout various scientific disciplines, which are raising serious warnings about the harmful consequences of our lifestyle choices. These choices are threatening our capacity to produce healthy children.

Sadly, these warnings are largely being ignored by the mainstream media.

http://healthimpactnews.com/2014/are-gmo...ile-generation/

This is what can happen when a small group of concerned, informed citizens rally together!

Public outrage reverses shellfish plan.

http://www.king5.com/media/cinematic/video/26899031/public-outrage-reverses-shellfish-plan/

May 2006

German tofu company grows soybeans locally to ensure GMO-free

“Most North Americans don’t understand why we insist on 100 percent non-GMO,” he says. “There is no acceptance in our society for any GMOs in food.”

http://www.non-gmoreport.com/articles/may06/soybeans_GMO_free.php

EPA completes glyphosate review; findings expected no later than July

May 5, 2015

Jim Jones, assistant administrator for the EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, said the agency’s review of the health and environmental impacts of glyphosate was concluded months ago, but its report was delayed to allow the agency to learn more about the WHO findings.

After the EPA issues the preliminary risk assessment for glyphosate, the agency will take public comments before formalizing a final regulatory proposal.The EPA’s upcoming draft risk assessment on glyphosate comes at a time when Monsanto and other agrichemical companies are developing biopesticides, which are based on natural organisms like plant and soil microbes rather than synthetic chemicals, and seen by some as alternatives to traditional pesticides.

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/e...efebadc192.html

FBI: Plot to steal seed corn a national security threat

March 30, 2015

Does protecting America's lucrative genetically modified seed corn industry warrant the use of national security laws intended to fight terrorists and government spies?

The FBI says yes, and it has invoked the broader powers afforded by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, to surreptitiously gather evidence against two Chinese siblings accused of plotting to steal patented seed from Iowa cornfields, according to court records.

Stealing hybrid seeds enhanced with traits such as drought resistance doesn't pose the same immediate threat as a suicide bomber, but the FBI treats economic espionage and similar trade secret theft as dangerous threats to national security.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/n...y-fbi/70643462/