Survival of the unfittest: GMOs and animal disease epidemics

24 May 2015

Non-GMO-fed birds stayed healthy in the avian flu epidemic – but will be culled anyway, according to livestock nutrition advisor Howard Vlieger.

http://gmwatch.org/news/latest-news/1618...sease-epidemics

India's independent farmers embrace organic

“I had confidence in my own method and my own labor,” he said. “I’m convinced that organic farming works.”

Singh is not alone in switching to organic. Punjab now has approximately 1,500 hectares of certified organic land, and India has emerged as a global leader in organic farming, with 600,000 certified producers. The countries with the second- and third-largest outputs are Uganda and Mexico, according to a report based on 2012 data, both of which have fewer than 200,000 organic producers.

Read on: http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/5/31/indias-independent-farmers-embrace-organic.html

Environ Toxicol Chem. 2014 Jun;33(6):1283-93. doi: 10.1002/etc.2550. Epub 2014 Apr 4.

Pesticides in Mississippi air and rain: a comparison between 1995 and 2007.

Atrazine, metolachlor, and propanil were detected in ≥50% of the air and rain samples in both years. Glyphosate and its degradation product, aminomethyl-phosphonic acid (AMPA), were detected in ≥75% of air and rain samples in 2007 but were not measured in 1995. The 1995 seasonal wet depositional flux was dominated by methyl parathion (88%) and was >4.5 times the 2007 flux. Total herbicide flux in 2007 was slightly greater than in 1995 and was dominated by glyphosate.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24549493

Killing GMO Bill Would Force Industry 'to the Table,' Critics Say

May 21, 2015 - by Philip Brasher

Just Label It released the results of a recent nationwide poll by the Mellman Group that found that 88 percent of respondents wanted mandatory labeling of foods that have "genetically modified" ingredients. Eight-six percent of the Republicans and independents surveyed supporting labeling. The poll was conducted by telephone April 28 through May 3 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/killing-gmo-bill-would-force-industry-table-critics-say

Date: May 27, 2015

Source: Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science

Summary: The microbiome of a toddler's gut may influence their behavior, a new study suggests. Scientists found correlations between temperament and the presence of specific types of intestinal bacteria in both girls and boys.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150527091438.htm

THANK YOU FOR BEING A LEADER, UVM!!

UVM Medical Center kitchen reducing GMOs

Sally Pollak, May 31, 2015

A few years ago, the hospital identified an interest in reducing the use of products that have genetically modified organisms in them, she said.

"We don't believe that the safety of those products has been proven," Imrie said.

The medical center developed two tactics in its effort to reduce its use of food with GMOs: Purchase more organic food, which by definition is GMO-free, and seek GMO-free products.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story...-gmos/28168737/

Two retired EPA scientists (Ray Seidler & E.G. Valliantatos) on Women's Weekly gmo meeting.

Streamed live on Jul 21, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84AhDuk3Jrc

May 27, 2015

Kennedy: Bill Passed Today Will Protect Connecticut’s Children From Toxic Pesticides

Senate Bill 366 bans pesticide use on municipal playgrounds

“There is growing evidence that pesticides do far more harm than good to our communities, and Connecticut must act judiciously to minimize their impact,” said Senator Kennedy, Senate Chair of the Environment Committee. “By keeping pesticides off of playgrounds and school property, we are protecting those who are most susceptible to the health impacts of pesticide exposure. Notifying parents of any emergency application also helps parents make informed decisions on whether their children are exposed to pesticides.”

http://senatedems.ct.gov/pr/kennedy-150527.php

FREE WORLDWIDE ONLINE SCREENING

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May 31, 2015 - June 11, 2015

http://www.boughtmovie.com/free-viewing/...ite+Conversions

BREAKING NEWS:

GMO Free USA will be taking GMO education on the road - going on tour with Neil Young + Promise of the Real for the new studio album, The Monsanto Years. GMO Free USA, along with other nonprofits, will join Neil Young + Promise of the Real to rock America and educate about GMOs and other related issues. Neil Young and Team have formed a broad coalition of nonprofits that will booth before and after concert shows to raise awareness and offer solutions to many of the injustices that we face. With The Monsanto Years, GMOs will take center stage. We’re honored to join with Neil and this coalition and we hope we’ll see you on the tour!

MORE DETAILS TO COME. Follow our pages to get the latest:

https://www.facebook.com/GMOFreeUSA
https://www.facebook.com/NeilYoung

MAA: Endocrine disruptors are implicated in fertility, fetal outcome, and reproductive health. Endocrine disruptors are not allowed to be marketed in Europe, but they are allowed in the US! Please spread the word to anyone who is experiencing difficulty getting or staying pregnant that they should try going organic! If the EPA is not going to do it's job then moms have to take care of their own!

Glyphosate. Hormone Hacking

http://feedtheworld.info/glyphosate/hormone-hacking/

Nationalists ponder prison sentences for selling unmarked GMO products

May 26, 2015

If passed the bill would amend the existing article of the criminal code that orders punishment for concealing any information about potential hazards for human life and health. It would include violation of the rules for marking goods containing GMO material. Those found guilty would face fines of up to 300,000 rubles (about $6000), or up to two years in prison or penal labor. The bill specifies that, depending on the crime’s circumstances, the punishment could be applied to the head of the company and the workers involved in the violations.

http://rt.com/politics/261985-russia-gmo-prison-law/

From Soup to Fries: Amy’s Joins the “Clean” Fast Food Club The well-known organic food brand will launch Amy’s Drive Thru later this summer.

By Leilani Clark on May 26, 2015

In late June, the meticulously sourced french fries will debut at the official launch of the first Amy’s Drive Thru.

http://civileats.com/2015/05/26/amys-clean-fast-food/#sthash.2VXFIsg4.dpuf

Julian Assange: TPP Isn't About Trade. It's About Corporate Control.

By Democracy Now! 30 May 15

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange warns the plan could chill the adoption of health and environmental regulations.

This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.

AMY GOODMAN: We turn now to a Democracy Now! exclusive with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has spent nearly three years inside Ecuador’s Embassy in London, where he has political asylum. Assange faces investigations in both Sweden and the United States. Here in the U.S., a secret grand jury is investigating WikiLeaks for its role in publishing a trove of leaked documents about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, as well as State Department cables. In Sweden, he’s wanted for questioning on allegations of sexual misconduct, though no charges have been filed. Earlier this month, Sweden’s Supreme Court rejected his appeal to lift his arrest warrant. Swedish prosecutors are reportedly preparing to travel to London to interview Assange after refusing to do so for years.

http://www.democracynow.org/2015/5/27/julian_assange_despite_congressional_standoff_nsa

EPA’s “New” Restrictions Fail to Protect Honey Bees as Promised

Beyond Pesticides, June 1, 2015

Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposal intended to create “physical and temporal space” between bees and toxic pesticides. While touted as monumental progress on bee health by the agency, the reality is that the proposal will only result in modest changes to pesticide labels. EPA’s new rules contain only a temporary ban on foliar applications of acutely bee-toxic pesticide products, including neonicotinoid class insecticides, during bloom and when a beekeeper is on site and under contract. The proposal doesn’t address the widespread contamination and detrimental effects of these toxic, systemic (wh0le plant poisons) chemicals that will continue to occur even during the temporary prohibition.

Gary Tate Riverside CA Honey Bee taking flight Riverside CaMedia reports have generally overstated the implications of the proposal, applauding the “new” restrictions, and labeling the small portion of agricultural land that is affected as “pesticide-free zones,” which couldn’t be further from the truth. The restrictions are not anything new – EPA pesticide labels already prohibit applications while in bloom where bees are foraging. Neal Bergman, a commercial beekeeper in Missouri, said in a statement to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the proposal is “basically enforcing label guidelines,” further highlighting the fact that EPA has failed to protect bees in the past. EPA did make one label change that eliminated the 48-hour rule exception, which previously allowed foliar application of pesticides while honey bees were on the property, as long as bee keepers were given notice no less than 48 hours in advance. Unfortunately, this minor label change won’t stop the widespread contamination of landscapes or prevent harm associated with systemic neonicotinoids. These dangerous pesticides have been linked to the global disappearance of honey bees and other non-target organisms, such as earthworms, birds, and aquatic invertebrates.

http://www.beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/?p=15770

GMO Free NY - 6/1/15

**** URGENT: TAKE ACTION FOR GMO LABELING! ******

Although last Thursday’s Codes Committee vote was not an official vote -- the bill was tabled due to too many absentee committee members -- there were a number of Assembly members who voted AGAINST bill A.617 and your right to know if the food you buy contains GMOs. They voted with Monsanto and the Big Food companies instead of with the 93% of us who say we want GMO labeling! If one of these people is your Assembly member (find out here: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/), please CALL THEM TODAY to let them know they are not representing your interests when they vote against GMO labeling! Ask them to vote YES on bill A.617 the next time it comes up for a vote! They need to hear this message from those who have the power to vote them out of office. Remind them that they represent YOU, not Monsanto! Please share this with every New Yorker you know who cares about what they're eating. Thanks!

The "NO" List -- CALL THEM TODAY!

--Steve Cymbrowitz (Brooklyn)
Albany: 518-455-5214 | District Office: 718-743-4078

--Joe Giglio (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Steuben)
Albany: 518-455-5241 | District Office: 716-373-7103

--Al Graf (Suffolk)
Albany: 518-455-5937 | District Office: 631-585-0230

--Tom McKevitt (Nassau)
Albany: 518-455-5341 | District Office: 516-228-4960

--Michael Montesano (Nassau)
Albany: 518-455-4684 | District Office: 516-937-3571

--Gary Pretlow (Westchester)
Albany: 518-455-5291 | District Office: 914-667-0127

--Robin Schimminger (Erie, Niagara)
Albany: 518-455-4767 | District Office: 716-873-2540

--Claudia Tenney (Delaware, Orange, Sullivan, Ulster)
Albany: 518-455-5334 | District Office: 315-736-3879

https://www.facebook.com/GMOFreeNYnet/ph...3223621/?type=1

Agribusiness nervous as WHO cancer unit analyzes popular pesticide

Reuters By Carey Gillam May 29, 2015 3:37 PM

Twenty-four scientists representing WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) will analyze scientific findings regarding links between cancer in humans and the herbicide known as 2,4-D at a June 2-9 meeting in Lyon, France.

A separate group of IARC scientists in March unanimously decided to classify glyphosate, the key ingredient in Monsanto Co's Roundup weedkiller, as "probably carcinogenic to humans." The designation prompted outrage and calls for a retraction from Monsanto, and demands by some public officials and consumers for bans on the pesticide.

Many believe the same could happen for 2,4-D.

http://news.yahoo.com/agribusiness-nervo...3--finance.html

Michael Hansen, Ph.D Senior Scientist with Consumers Union

Monsanto, RoundUp and Junk Science

Posted: 05/29/2015 Updated: 06/01/2015

Whether you march against Monsanto or not, there are clearly new safety concerns -- the cancer risks -- and environmental impacts -- superweeds and Monarch losses -- linked to Monsanto's herbicide. They demand serious consideration by regulators.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-ha...html?1432954296

Canadian Risk Assessment Finds GMO Salmon Susceptible to Disease

Posted on May 30 2015 - 2:19am by Sustainable Pulse

“The findings from the Canadian risk assessment show that FDA has based its assessment of this totally unnecessary technology on blind trust,” said Wenonah Hauter. “It’s clear that there are unique safety issues that FDA has failed to consider, which is why we are calling on the agency to terminate its review of GMO salmon.”

http://sustainablepulse.com/2015/05/30/c...e/#.VW0TT43bL3g

It should be banned from every park, state park and playgrounds.

May 27 2015

Pesticide Used in City’s Parks Again Shown to Have Possible Cancer Link

by Sarah Crean

Citing what he described as “unnecessary, toxic pesticide use,” Kallos said in a statement that “all families should be able to enjoy our city parks and resources without having to worry about what chemicals are being used.”

http://www.nyenvironmentreport.com/pesti...le-cancer-link/