Pesticide Action Network

My love affair with strawberry jam

Kathryn Gilje — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:11:39 +0000

I don't use the phrase love affair much, but there's no other way to describe my devotion to Swanton Berry Farm and their just-plain-yummy jam. Swanton grows strawberries organically — no methyl iodide or other cancer-causing pesticides. They were the first organic farm to sign a union contract with the United Farm Workers (UFW) — proof in the pudding that they value fairness and transparency.

PAN has a long history of working alongside Swanton Berry for food democracy, and fairness — and I'm honored by very few things more than Jim Cochrane's support of PAN.

Science still catching up on DDT harms

Kristin Schafer — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:20:42 +0000

Two recent studies report new evidence of the harms of a very old pesticide.

It's that pesky, persistent and infamous chemical, DDT. Nearly 40 years after its use in agriculture was banned in many countries around the world, it's still present in our environment, food and bodies at levels that harm human health. And children, once again, are especially vulnerable.

Tribunal Permanente de los Pueblos

Chela Vazquez — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:10:16 +0000

Testimonios de todo el mundo resaltaron la falta de un mecanismo legal para imputar a las corporaciones. Escuchamos a 19 testigos de cinco continentes presentar evidencia contundente tanto científica como sobre los abusos conectados a las agroquímicas gigantes.

Online innovations help farmers sell locally

Margaret Reeves — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:00:35 +0000

Direct marketing arrangements such as the popular community supported agriculture (CSA) systems across the country eliminate intermediaries. A greater portion of every food dollar remains on the farm – and families in urban areas are able to know and support their local farmer.

Now online innovators are stepping up to expand on the idea by helping farmers market their produce directly to consumers on the web.

Controversial "Ag Gag" bill considered in Iowa

Pesticide Action Network — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:41:45 +0000

The Iowa Senate is considering a state law that would criminalize the reporting of abusive conditions at animal or crop operations.

Several citizen and food transparency groups in Iowa have opposed the law, which they have dubbed the "Whistle Blower Suppression Bill" and the "Ag Gag Bill." Strong support for the measure is coming from multinational corporations like Monsanto and Dupont, as well as statewide organizations like the Iowa Poultry Association.

2,4-D corn? Bad idea, and here's why.

Margaret Reeves — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:14:28 +0000

There are many, many reasons that Dow's new strain of corn that's genetically engineered to withstand high doses of the herbicide 2,4-D is a terrible idea.

Since 2,4-D has been around for so long, there's plenty of evidence about how it can harm human health. Children, as usual, are most at risk, and USDA needs to know that ramping up use of 2,4-D in fields across the country is simply not acceptable.

All aboard the transgenic Titanic

Marcia Ishii-Eiteman — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:21:16 +0000

On Tuesday, one of the world’s largest pesticide and biotech companies — Monsanto Corporation — held its annual general meeting in St. Louis. While protestors outside Monsanto headquarters highlighted growing public disenchantment with the industry giant and its genetically engineered products, investors in the meeting were voting on a shareholder resolution from PAN and Harrington Investments.

If passed, the resolution would require Monsanto to report on all financial risks and impacts, including contamination of neighboring crops, associated with its GE/pesticide seed package.

Genetically engineered bourbon?! No joke.

Pesticide Action Network — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:06:46 +0000

More than 80% of the non-organic products in our pantries include genetically engineered (GE) ingredients. Turns out, that even includes bourbon.

As Grist reported last week, GE corn — also known as genetically modified, or GMO — has made its way into our liquor cabinets: "Bourbon gives us an interesting window into GMO grain because the spirit must by definition be made with at least 51 percent corn." Since about 85% of the corn in the U.S. is grown from genetically engineered seed, most bourbon is now made from GE corn.

Industry front group says: Don't worry, be happy!

Pesticide Action Network — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:09:26 +0000

As the 50^th anniversary of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring approaches, the purveyors of Monsanto & Co’s falsehoods are out in full force.

The American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) — a front group for the pesticide industry — held a briefing last week, announcing a new report extolling the virtues of pesticides to federal legislators. If this is where our decisionmakers are getting their information, we're in trouble.

German biotech giant flees Europe

Marcia Ishii-Eiteman — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:16:59 +0000

Last week the giant German pesticide and biotech company (and largest chemical company in the world), BASF, announced its decision to pack up and flee Europe.

Why? For 13 years, ordinary Europeans have stood firm in challenging the right of biotech companies to dump their risky genetically engineered (GE) seeds onto their fields and have steadfastly rejected the intrusion of GE foods onto their plates. They built up an informed and powerful citizens’ movement that has made itself heard, even over the din of the monied GE lobby. For this, hearty congratulations are due to our cousins across the Atlantic!