In the typical slippery nature of Monsanto’s legislation-based actions, the biotech giant is now virtually guaranteed the ability to recklessly plant experimental GM crops without having to worry about the United States government and its subsequent courts. The Monsanto Protection Act buried deep within the budget resolution has passed the Senate, and now nothing short of a presidential veto will put an end to the ruling.
In case you’re not familiar, the Monsanto Protection Act is the name given to what’s known as a legislative rider that was inserted into the Senate Continuing Resolution spending bill. Using the deceptive title of Farmer Assurance Provision, Sec. 735 of this bill actually grants Monsanto the immunity from federal courts pending the review of any GM crop that is thought to be dangerous. Under the section, courts would be helpless to stop Monsanto from continuing to plant GM crops that are thought even by the US government to be a danger to health or the environment.
Senate Passes Monsanto Protection Act Despite Outcry
It is a lobbyist-created recurring nuisance that has been squashed in previous legislation thanks to outcry from not only grassroots but major organizations. Last time we saw The Center for Food Safety, the National Family Farm Coalition, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Sierra Club, and the Union of Concerned Scientists all come out against the Monsanto Protection Act from the 2012 Farm Bill.
This time, there was a swift resistance I thought might be enough, however sadly the Senate acted so quickly on this and almost entirely ignored the issue that it has now passed despite thousands of fans signing the old petition I linked to in my previous articles on the subject. The old petition by Food Democracy Now detailed the effects of the bill:
“If approved, the Monsanto Protection Act would force the USDA to allow continued planting of any GMO crop under court review, essentially giving backdoor approval for any new genetically engineered crops that could be potentially harmful to human health or the environment.”
That said, now a new petition exists telling Obama to veto the bill. The reality is that the bill is actually seen as a positive one by most politicians, which is where Monsanto lobbyists were so deceptive and slippery as to throw in their rider (the actual Monsanto Protection Act into the bill). This makes it very unappealing to veto the bill, but also we must remember that Obama actually promised to immediately label GMOs back in 2007 when running for President.
Ushering In a New Era of Activism
The simple fact is that this bill will likely not be vetoed by Obama, and instead Monsanto will get what they wanted. That said, this ushers in an entirely new era of activism. Monsanto has decided to push the envelope in a way that is unprecedented, fighting the US federal courts. I expected to see almost immediate legal action taken that will certainly hit the headlines, leading to even more people to become aware of what’s really going on with this company and therefore their dinner.
Sometimes in order to truly have an intellectual revolution on a subject, the people need to see exactly what they are facing. With the truly blatant and downright arrogant Monsanto Protection Act, it’s now clearer than ever.
(Note: Petitions have been unlinked due to expiration.)
We are so quiet and they are stepping on us harder and harder. It is time to change positions.
For real!
I was never really active against GMOs until I found proof a week ago that GMOs are what was causing my ailment. The truth is that GMOs cause psychotropic effects, which we are deliberately being indirectly administered psychotropic drugs. Some of the effects are fatigue, submissive behavior, repetitious behavior, memory problems, aggression, etc.. It literally causes "brain damage". This is why most people in the U.S. are medicated and also why so many freedom crushing laws in the U.S. have passed unhindered.
This news tells me that the only thing I have to look forward to in the near future is being forced back into a mental prison that amounts to nothing less than Purgatory. This is unacceptable, which I will never go back. Those who want to stay can say hello to Dante for me. Most of my life has been stolen from me, which I've got nothing left to lose. If this is the game Monsanto wants to play, then so be it. A new era of activism is indeed manifesting and will be full blown soon enough.
Please say exactly what GMO event or food gave you this ailment. Also, was this diagnosed by a doctor?
When Obama appointed Monsanto lobbyist as our food safety czar I knew we were in big trouble.
We have got to stop these lobbyist from controlling our country!!!!!
As long as people continue to support DemocRATs and RepubliCONs they (and we) will get what they deserve: fascist corporate control. Wake up America! It is time for a non-violent second American Revolution!
Agreed! I urge you to get involved. "We the people" need to take action to preserve our great country. Unfortunately I don't see a 3rd party getting a fighting chance so my advice is choose the party closest to your views & get involved at the grassroots level. Fight to make it accountable. I chose the Republican party, since I am conservative fiscally & socially. But within each party there is a broad spectrum of viewpoints. It is a very interesting educational experience, so much more challenging than sitting home on the couch & watching TV! Only by getting involved can we expect real change.
http://www.goooh.com this group is trying to get regular citizens elected instead of career politicians. Check it out.
Exactley HOW do you suppose we do this Non Violent Revolution, Paul Revere?
The Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 (S. 3240) is 1010 pages long. Which section is the "Monsanto Protection Act"? http://www.ag.senate.gov/issues/farm-bill
Section 735.
I could not find Section 735. What page is it on? The sections seem to go from Section 1101 (page 11) through Section 12206 (page 1080). Am I missing something?
Here is part of the text of Section 735 of H.R. 933. I am not sure what it means.
In the event that a determination of non-regulated status made pursuant to section 411 of the Plant Protection Act H. R. 933—35 is or has been invalidated or vacated, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon request by a farmer, grower, farm operator, or producer, immediately grant temporary permit(s) or temporary deregulation in part, subject to necessary and appropriate conditions consistent with section 411(a) or 412(c) of the Plant Protection Act, which interim conditions shall authorize the movement, introduction, continued cultivation, commercialization and other specifically enumerated activities and requirements, including measures designed to mitigate . . .
Here is the remainder of the text of Section 735 of H.R. 933. I am not sure what this means either
. . . or minimize potential adverse environmental effects, if any, relevant to the Secretary’s evaluation of the petition for non-regulated status, while ensuring that growers or other users are able to move, plant, cultivate, introduce into commerce and carry out other authorized activities in a timely manner: Provided, That all such conditions shall be applicable only for the interim period necessary for the Secretary to complete any required analyses or consultations related to the petition for non-regulated status: Provided further, That nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the Secretary’s authority under section 411, 412 and 414 of the Plant Protection Act.
Mr. (or Ms.) Collins, I’m still not following you. I want to believe this is real; regardless of the safety or lack thereof of GMOs, I believe Monsanto has become too powerful to be held to any kind of accountability and their business practices leave privately owned farms in bloody ruins.
But I can’t find that wording anywhere except pieces of it in HR 5973 from June 2012. Can you link to the actual bill on a .gov site where you found that text?
I’m also puzzled as to how the portion you quoted protects Monsanto. Does anywhere here translate between Lawyer and English?
Your article does not specify that it was passed in the House. Do you really expect Obama to veto a bill that would adversely effect one of his bosses' wallet (Gates)? Evil is now considered good and good is considered evil…..signs of the end times….It would behoove the likes of big investors, elitists, atheists, etc. to repent and beg for God's mercy…..There is no wrath like the wrath of God.
Right on its down hill now, and he people are to blame we let it happen. Grab your bible it going to a bumpy road.
I so agree with you! This world has gone crazy as predicted!! Look how fast this is taking place!!
A change in position indeed.
people are becoming more aware of foods, vaccines, health etc..if we continue, America will become a healthy country. Big Pharma and the medical industry will loose profits, so continue to keep people sick Monsanto and its products is the perfect vehicle to keep people at the hospital
The next step will be a Private Government of United States of Monsanto. Way the USA , looking for enemies abroad and go running whit all weapons to kill them , and they permitted the biggest terrorist organization inside of there's doors ——- Monsanto. This Co., will kill all of as whit there fake food . I will do my part to help to destroy this miserable Corporation . Will be difficulty , but not impossible .
Why are my comments deleted when they are helpful and informed. My comments have never been deleted before.
I've experienced that as well. We are being monitored.
This whole GMO bad science experiment is so destructive and will begging to show up all along the food chain …the bees and insects already dissapearing before our edges , yet bill gates and like keep buying huge chunks of stock and in turn buying the president and senate and congress and any one who gets in the way of the master plan , or moor like the disaster plan all for greed …. this GMO bad science has proven dangerous to all life and the poison it grows in of even worse danger . Even if it was stoped today , we may never get rid of the problems caused by this ! NEVER … we must force our president to make a stand and stop the runaway train . If not , we will see sickness and death like no other time on this planet ….our only food source will be to poisoned to consume and we will be at the mercy of another country who said NO to GMOs when they should have …. pleasei tell anyone who will listen , as our only way to fight and win will be the collective voice . We cannot allow this GMO to make one moor step ….
What good is a government when their actions are harming the people that they are supposed to be serving. The things that harm us are approved without question, but the things that actually contribute to our good health and well being are so over regulated that only the rich can afford it. Something is very wrong when GM food can be sold without even being tested but organically grown food has to be overly tested to the point that it has to be sold at a price that most people can't afford. Make the bad stuff cheap and the good stuff expensive. A guaranteed recipe for a sick population. What more will big pharma want next, poison in our drinking water? Oh, I forgot, they already have that also.
Anybody know of an organization or website that is getting people together to create a huge wave of activism that will not be ignored?
This will possibly back fire on the super mogul ! It allows for easy sales against the giant thus I would sell my shares now before they collapse. The bigger they are the harder they will fall!
Who says were aren't ruled by fascists?
I want a Lawyer to sue Monsanto and put them in jail for – SEDITION –
subversive acts to the United States against our very
LIVES for attacking our FOOD SUPPLY OF THESE UNITED STATES TRU GMOs.!
While I don't agree with crony capitalism displayed by Monsanto, there has NEVER been a credible study ANYWHERE that proves GM foods are evil. GM foods actually use LESS farmland, which means more farmland can be reclaimed to go to its natural state. Farmers who plant GM foods are able to use LESS pesticides and herbicides, and the ones they use are more localized to insects and creatures that harm the plants (in other words, all the good bees and stuff are left alone). As far as our bodies processing them differently than non-GM foods, it's impossible. A GM kernel of corn is processed EXACTLY the same by your body as one that is not GM.
GM foods are ABSOLUTELY NO different than cross-breeding. It's just faster.
Are y'all wearing your tin foil hats so the aliens can't read your mind too? You guys are acting paranoid and delusional. There are MANY important things to focus on. GM foods are NOT one of them.
What a breath of fresh air! I agree!!!!!! Finally someone with some intelligence and that has done her research. Thank you!
You're welcome. 🙂
You have no idea what you are talking about. Please, those that are reading this do not listen to Monika's CAPITAL letters, and research this topic for your self.
Actually, I do. Biology degree with a genetics minor tells me I know exactly what I'm talking about. If people would research things for themselves and have any knowledge of basic science (which is obviously no longer taught in school), then they'd know what I do.
Monika, there has been research that has linked it to mental illness from generated or "improved" foods and has been linked to mental compliance. The enhanced foods or seeds that have been genetically altered have been linked to cancer for those that already have that gene in their bodies, including brain cancer for children. It has been linked to several other ailments like diabetes and all of its "extras" that go with including High Blood Pressure, and Kidney failure. It has also been linked to obesity. These studies have been scientifically proven, but also have been hidden from most of the public. If Obama could completely have them "disappear" he would. So you might want to dig deeper into your studies. These studies have been suppressed and those that have found these facts out have been harassed by the government and they have been trying to destroy their findings. We are still finding out a lot more. I don't care what degree you have, you need to look harder or even create your own study, although don't ask the government to help, if they find out what you are doing they will try also to shut you down. Stop looking at the government findings. Even most of Europe has figured this out.
I'd like to see the research that proves without a doubt that GM foods are the cause of cancer, diabetes, etc and not something else. You can make facts correlate to what you want to believe all you want. But the facts should be the same no matter what you believe. If someone who believes in GM foods and someone who doesn't read the same facts there should be little doubt where the science lies.
As far as Obama being the culprit, both liberals and conservatives are guilty of passing farm bills, etc, in the dark of night so no one knows what they are doing. You can attack Monsanto for its crony capitalism all you want and I'll fight right alongside you. But there is absolutely no need to attack GM foods.
I'll post this again since someone felt the need to delete it…Monika does not know what she is talking about, please those that are reading this do not listen to her CAPITAL letters and research this topic for yourself.
Nobody deleted your comment. I see it right above my response to you. I'll say again what I said before. People absolutely should research. They also should have a knowledge of basic science. Then they'd know what I say is true.
Actually, there was a recent study printed in the American Journal of Medicine that links the consumption of corn syrup made from GMO corn having a direct correlation to the increase of type II diabetes i n older Americans. Corn syrup has been used in proceeded food for years, with little effect on the diabetes rates, but with the introduction of GMO corn and its use in making corn syrup, the increase of diabetes in the population has increased over 17%..
There's not a direct correlation. That's a stretch, at best. Most crops have been GM for at least 20 years. There is no chemical difference whatsoever between GM corn syrup and non-GM corn syrup. There is no physical way for that to correlate to diabetes. Type II diabetes is caused (or exacerbated) by poor diet and exercise habits in general. It is much more likely that the increase in diabetes, especially the Type II variety, is caused by the fact that in general, we eat much more sugar (corn syrup and other sugars inclusive) and eat much more food with less exercise than just correlating that to GM foods and corn syrup in specific. Our sizing is vanity sizing. A size 4 now used to be a size 16, and that wasn't all that long ago.
Let's do what Europe did to get labeling back on their food. BOYCOTT. If you have a weakness for fast food, get on a diet. BOYCOTT grocery stores unless they are standing their ground like Whole Foods. It may take a bit more money to support these places or BETTER yet, support our local farmers. We lost over 11k farmers last year alone!! BUY locally…learn to garden. MAKE THEM lose money. That will change their mind!
Amen!
this really scares me! people should be allowed to eat ONLY natural foods at stores that are affordable for all!!! for the government to allow this is terrible!!!!
Unless you're buying direct from a farmer, I would pretty much guarantee that even the natural foods you eat have some GM ingredients. Over 90% of the world's grain supply is GM. GM is absolutely no different than cross-breeding. It's just faster. And more environmentally sound (less pesticides/herbicides, and more localized when they're used – only to harmful plants and animals, and it takes less earth to grow them which means that more ground can be reclaimed to its natural state).
No different then cross-breeding… Well that makes it sound better?! (Sarcasm at its finest)
I have found that most "Natural" foods contain GMO's, be aware of this tactic by the food companies, and eat Organic food or food that is non-GMO certified.
I'll post this again since someone felt the need to delete it twice…Monika does not know what she is talking about, please those that are reading this do not listen to her CAPITAL letters and research this topic for yourself.
People like you Monika, having a Biology degree with a minor in genetics, thinking they know what they are doing or talking about is what got us into this mess in the first place.
Can you say sheeple ? ………
Monsanto runs over farmers like a freight train, and this is a Farm Protection Act?
Give me a break.
i am very un informed on GMO foods, and franlky Monika was the only rational one of these post that made some sense, where can I go to read some non biased, factual, scientific data about GMO?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZVRrbyGtos
General Motors plants their own crops now?
Thank you Monika. I'm sick of people parroting things they hear on propaganda sites like Natural News and using horrible studies like the Seralini or Ermakova papers to back their points that GMOs are evil or detrimental to human health.
Does Monsanto suck as a corporation? Absolutely. Is this unethical. Highly. Are GMOs safe? The independent science says yes. People confuse anecdotes for actual data. Saying "I was sick, I stopped eating GMOs, then I felt better!" is not a science experiment. It's an anecdote rife with bias.
Any legislation can be struck down by the Supreme Court. No law overrides the Constitution and the powers granted to the branches within. The "immunity from federal courts pending the review of any GM crop that is thought to be dangerous" is not immunity from being struck down.
That's not even mentioning how ALL food is genetically modified in some way. Go out in the wild and try to find a domesticated banana growing, for instance. You could buy organic food, but you have no guarantee that somewhere along the line that food wasn't modified. The only way to be 100% sure you're not eating genetically modified food is to grow it and harvest it yourself, but good luck finding seeds from plants that weren't genetically modified.
To those of you that don't know,GM stands for Genecticly Modified.that is all.we have been GMing our food for 20 years or more. so get over it.
@ Woody Harrelson
From International Business Times
1.) The “Monsanto Protection Act” effectively bars federal courts from being able to halt the sale or planting of controversial genetically modified (aka GMO) or genetically engineered (GE) seeds, no matter what health issues may arise concerning GMOs in the future.
2.) The provision’s language was apparently written in collusion with Monsanto.
(It was secretly sneaked into the bill & no lawmaker would claim responsibility for it. Why not proud of it.)
3.) Many members of Congress were apparently unaware that the “Monsanto Protection Act” even existed within the bill they were voting on. HR 933 was a spending bill aimed at averting a government shutdown and ensuring that the federal government would continue to be able to pay its bills.
“In this hidden backroom deal, Sen. [Barbara] Mikulski turned her back on consumer, environmental and farmer protection in favor of corporate welfare for biotech companies such as Monsanto,” Andrew Kimbrell, executive director of the Center for Food Safety, said in a statement. “This abuse of power is not the kind of leadership the public has come to expect from Sen. Mikulski or the Democrat Majority in the Senate.”
4.) The President did nothing to stop it, either. On Tuesday, Obama signed HR 933 while the rest of the nation was fixated on gay marriage, as the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument concerning California’s Proposition 8. But just because most of the nation and the media were paying attention to gay marriage doesn’t mean that others were not doing their best to express their opposition to the “Monsanto Protection Act.” In fact, more than 250,000 voters signed a petition opposing the provision. And Food Democracy Now protesters even took their fight straight to Obama, protesting in front of the White House against Section 735 of the bill. He signed it anyway.
5.) It sets a terrible precedent. Though it will only remain in effect for six months until the government finds another way to fund its operations, the message it sends is that corporations can get around consumer safety protections if they get Congress on their side. Furthermore, it sets a precedent that suggests that court challenges are a privilege, not a right.
“I think any time you tweak with the ability of the public to seek redress from the courts, you create a huge risk,” Seattle attorney Bill Marler — who has represented victims of foodborne illness in successful lawsuits against corporations — told the New York Daily News.
Now I am going to do my breakfast, when having my breakfast coming yet again to read more news.