This past November, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report cited “severe efficacy issues” with Monsanto’s Bt corn after multiple states reported “unexpected pest damage.”
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Monsanto - News and OpinionMonsanto’s stronghold over seed patents was reinforced recently when an appeals court affirmed a prior ruling against a farmer, this time for buying seeds as “commodity” seeds from a local grain elevator. 
Farmers and agricultural organizations demanded their right to be heard after Monsanto asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit challenging the company’s aggressive enforcement of genetically modified seed patents. Monsanto is forced to backtrack on a lawsuit alleging that two Erie area farmers saved patented seeds. We look at that and, also, the latest on Anonymous hacking attack against Monsanto “Society stands on the precipice of forever being bound to transgenic agriculture and transgenic food” reads the first sentence in the amended complaint filed by farmers, environmentalist, researchers and consumer groups against Monsanto. New plaintiffs strengthen the resolve to stand up to Big M. 
Recently, Sec. of Agriculture Tom Vilsack compared biotechnology and sustainable agriculture to two sons, for whom he declared equal love. Read on to learn why biotech has in fact been the agency’s favorite “son.” Lawsuit by organic groups asks Federal court to invalidate Monsanto’s patents and to end Monsanto’s practice of suing farmers over GMO contamination. 
Conventional and organic farmers and environmental groups filed a lawsuit challenging the USDA’s decision to permit the unrestricted commercial release of genetically engineered alfalfa. A California Appeals Court reversed a lower court’s ruling which would have required the destruction of genetically modified sugar beet seedlings planted in September 2010. 
The usual and unusual politics surrounding the deregulation of genetically engineered alfalfa. 
A Federal Court ordered the removal of genetically modified beet seedlings. After USDA and Monsanto appealed, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is delaying the removal until a hearing that was rescheduled for February. 
While Monsanto shelved its research on genetically modified wheat in 2004 amid broad opposition from consumers and growers, it’s back at it again. While still under investigation for anti-competitive patent practices and under a threat of an anti-trust case against them, Monsanto is busy tackling other issues. 
Superweeds are invading fields across the globe. Before we start looking blaming farmers, however, careful attention must be paid to government agencies and seed companies and how the two partner-up to foster the conditions that lead to superweeds. 
Federal Court finds that Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their claims that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services illegally permitted the planting of genetically engineered sugar beet. Sep 8, 2010 |
 Leave a commentMonsanto says it’s cutting about 650 to 700 more jobs as it continues to restructure its business, according to a story we first read on NPR on August 31st 2010. 
Monsanto Co. spent $4.64 million in the first two quarters of 2010 and it is on pace to set a new high for its lobbying expenditures. 
In depth analysis of Judge White’s decision which rescinded USDA’s and APHIS’ decision to deregulate Roundup Ready sugar beets without conducting an Environmental Impact Statement. Aug 5, 2010 |
1Last week, superweeds and GMOs were on the minds of many U.S. lawmakers. Reports continued on growing pesticide resistance. Bee colony collapse problem grows. EPA considers giving environmental justice a chance. EU approved more GM maize imports, while a GMO-Free Europe conference nears. And more. Jul 23, 2010 |
2The latest stories: Organic pest management proven to be better than pesticides. Chemical farming interests boost anti-pesticide message. GE tree trials continue. Why do we need GM potatoes? GM contamination lawsuits. Personal story about becoming a locavore. And more. 
The next generation of biotech crops are designed to express alleged nutritional benefits. However, advertising such foods as “healthy” would only confuse the consuming public. 
The United States Supreme Court handed down its first ever decision concerning genetically modified crops and it is a mixed result for farmers, consumers and environmental groups. 
We review and provide legal analysis of the oral argument in the Monsanto v Geertson matter heard recently by the Supreme Court. Monsanto has crops resistant to glyphosate. Bayer is selling cotton and soybeans resistant to glufosinate, another weedkiller. Monsanto’s newest corn is tolerant of both glyphosate and glufosinate, and the company is developing crops resistant to dicamba, an older pesticide. Syngenta is developing soybeans tolerant of its Callisto product. And Dow Chemical is developing corn and soybeans resistant to 2,4-D, a component of Agent Orange, the defoliant used in the Vietnam War. |
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