The Organic Elite Surrenders to Monsanto: What Now?
By Ronnie Cummins
Organic Consumers Association, Jan 27, 2011
"The policy set for GE alfalfa will most likely guide policies for other GE crops as well. True coexistence is a must." - Whole Foods Market, Jan. 21, 2011
In the wake of a 12-year battle to keep Monsanto's Genetically Engineered (GE) crops from contaminating the nation's 25,000 organic farms and ranches, America's organic consumers and producers are facing betrayal. A self-appointed cabal of the Organic Elite, spearheaded by Whole Foods Market, Organic Valley, and Stonyfield Farm, has decided it's time to surrender to Monsanto. Top executives from these companies have publicly admitted that they no longer oppose the mass commercialization of GE crops, such as Monsanto's controversial Roundup Ready alfalfa, and are prepared to sit down and cut a deal for "coexistence" with Monsanto and USDA biotech cheerleader Tom Vilsack.
The Rest.
So what's the spin from the other side? Why did Whole Foods decide this? How is this going to play out? It doesn't look good. Basically, Monsanto already owns us, we cannot escape GMO food. But what if Monsanto-created infertility spreads through all our produce? And plants cannot make fertile seeds anymore? So what really matters is exactly how dangerous it turns out to be. We don't really know that yet, and there's a lot of hype on both sides. I haven't formed a strong opinion yet even after being taught about it in school. Lots of top docs say to avoid them, and lots are silent on the matter.