The world marches against Monsanto and GMO- RT NETWORK

The world marches against Monsanto and GMO

Public anger against GMO food products and GMO giant, Monsanto, erupted in massive global protests in May and October against the company’s stranglehold on global food production. Millions went out in 50 countries, with signs reading ‘Hell no GMO’.

Protesters throughout India, Germany, the US and UK were calling for the permanent boycott of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and “other harmful agro-chemicals.”
The initial ‘March against Monsanto’, which took place on May 25 saw an estimated two million people join together against the organization. It soon grew into a global campaign in 436 cities.

The October 12 protest was an extension of the May protests and was particularly poignant in the US, falling just four days ahead of World Food Day on October 16 and as Agent Orange Awareness Month was being promoted by the Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Alliance (COVVHA).

“Monsanto was one of the seven chemical companies who manufactured Agent Orange which was laced with one of the most deadly chemicals known to man, dioxin. Monsanto, the other six companies, and the U.S. government, are responsible for the slow burn genocide of Vietnam Veterans, their children and grandchildren,” March Against Monsanto alleged.

Shortly afterwards, Washington state sued a lobbying group opposed to a new GMO food labeling effort. The measure was aimed at ensuring the proper labeling of goods which contain ingredients with genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), as well as the labeling of seeds and seed products containing GMOs sold in the state.

However, there were some small victories for the anti-GMO lobby over the year. In July, Monsantodropped its bid to get more genetically modified crops onto the European market due to the wide-spread popular opposition, opting to focus on the development of the natural seed market instead.

However, they were occasionally counterbalanced. Also in July, Monsanto was awarded yet another victory by the US federal government thanks to a recent Environmental Protection Agency decision to allow larger traces of the herbicide glyphosate in farm-grown foods.

The moves against the corporate food giant have come as a number of studies link exposure to the chemical with diseases including types of cancer, the EPA is increasing the amount of glyphosate allowed in oilseed and food crops. Glyphosate, a weed-killing chemical developed by Monsanto in 1970, is the key ingredient in the company’s “Roundup” label of herbicides.

In mid-June, a fresh initiative against the corporation was also launched. Monsanto Video Revolt was set to bypass the corporate media blackout on GMO foods and bring the issue to world’s attention.

The campaign was announced by the Global Healing Center, Natural News and Natural Society, which have united to counter GM produce and the huge amounts of poisonous herbicides and pesticides being dumped all over the world.

“I think there is change going on not only against the Monsanto but biological engineering of our food chain,” geopolitical analyst F. William Engdahl told RT.

This post has already been read 22764 times!