Monsanto, a corporation, might be more powerful than the nation of Germany! Germany has banned the cultivation of GM corn, claiming that MON 810 is dangerous for the environment. But that argument might not stand up in court and Berlin could face fines totalling millions of euros if American multinational Monsanto decides to challenge the prohibition on its seed.
So let me get this straight. A nation cannot simply ban Monsanto's product, even after said nation decides that it's bad for the environment? Even though EU law says that they, indeed, can ban such things? Wow.
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1,500 farmers commit mass suicide in India
Over 1,500 farmers in an Indian state committed suicide after being driven to debt by crop failure, it was reported today.
The agricultural state of Chattisgarh was hit by falling water levels.
"The water level has gone down below 250 feet here. It used to be at 40 feet a few years ago," Shatrughan Sahu, a villager in one of the districts, told Down To Earth magazine.
I'm sure there's no connection between the crops failing due to a water shortage, and GM crops being planted that require twice as much water as the traditional varieties. MORE
no subject
Date: 2009-04-16 08:31 pm (UTC)Monocultures are deadly to human agriculture, and are a direct threat to me and my family.
I have had this fight with my partner before, too:
"no, we can't buy that seed, it's GM"
"But the organic seed is so much more expensive"
"but you only buy it once. Here let me show you the math of seedsaving"
(long ass segue into the cost savings...I know better than to try to convince her that the seeds make plants that kill the land)
"ohhs"
Three weeks later, same damn argument. I love her, but some days I wanna just scream.