Bee Killers, Kashi Boycott, Monsanto's Minions
Ronnie Cummins Organic Consumers Association
Beekeepers Win Ban on Monsanto's GMOs in Poland
Monsanto's Mon810 corn, genetically engineered to produce a mutant version of the insecticide Bt, has been banned in Poland following protests by beekeepers who showed the corn was killing honeybees.
Poland is the first country to formally acknowledge the link between Monsanto's genetically engineered corn and the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) that's been devastating bees around the world. Many analysts believe that Monsanto has known the danger their GMOs posed to bees all along. The biotech giant recently purchased a CCD research firm, Beeologics, that government agencies, including the US Department of Agriculture, have been relying on for help unraveling the mystery behind the disappearance of the bees.
Now that it's owned by Monsanto, it's very unlikely that Beeologics will investigate the links, but genetically engineered crops have been implicated in CCD for years now.
Why Organics are Expensive & Monsanto's GMOs are Cheap
Ever wonder why organic foods are relatively more expensive and sometimes hard to find, while Monsanto and biotech-derived junk foods are cheap and omnipresent?
It's because of a federal law known as the Farm Bill that uses billions of dollars of our tax money every year to subsidize factory farms, biotech crops, and chemical agriculture.
The Farm Bill is also a major reason why obesity, diet-related disease and health care costs are skyrocketing. It's partly why food production is responsible for more than half of greenhouse gas emissions and farm run-off is fouling drinking water and creating dead-zones in the ocean.
The current Farm Bill is set to expire and be re-written this year. We have an opportunity now to press Congress to cut corporate welfare and enact agriculture reforms that would create jobs, clean up the environment, strengthen sustainable local food systems and make healthy food available to everyone.
Money Bomb Momentum Builds with $1 Million Matching Gift! We Can Do This!
In an extraordinary gesture of support and solidarity in the fight for GMO labeling in California, Mercola.com, the largest alternative health website in the world, along with a group of leading organic companies including Nature's Path, Lundberg Family Farms, and Eden Foods, have pledged another one million dollars to the "Drop the Money Bomb on Monsanto" campaign - but only if we reach our goal of $1 million by May 26.
In just 10 days we've already raised nearly $300,000. We still have a long way to go. If you've already donated to this critical campaign, thank you! If you haven't, please pitch in today so we can show Monsanto what millions of people, working together, can do.
The "Drop the Money Bomb on Monsanto" fundraising campaign was launched on May 1 by a broad coalition of food, farm, health, public interest, environmental groups, and leading organic food companies across the country. Together - with the help of millions of consumers like you - we plan to raise enough money to run a successful campaign against Big Biotech and Food Inc. Once mandatory GMO labeling is required in California, its only a matter of time before we win this battle everywhere.
Tell Kellogg's You're Boycotting Kashi!
The Green Grocer, an independent natural food store in Rhode Island, yanked so-called "natural" Kashi products off the shelves and posted this note in their place:
"Where's my Kashi?! You might be wondering where your favorite Kashi cereals have gone. It has recently come to our attention that 100% of the soy used in Kashi products is Genetically Modified, and that when the USDA tested the grains used there were found to be pesticides that are known carcinogens and hormone disruptors."
It's true, most Kashi and Kellogg's products are contaminated with GMOs. If you write Kellogg's to complain, they will try to tell you how great GMOs are. We know better!
Tell Kellogg's you're boycotting Kashi until they stop using Monsanto's GMOs. And please stop buying so-called "natural" processed foods. Most of them are tainted with GMOs and pesticides, just like Kashi's non-organic brands. Fill your shopping basket with organic products instead .
Monsanto's Minions in California
Find out who's spreading Monsanto's lies and trying to kill the CA Label GMOs/Right to Know ballot initiative. Hint... It isn't a grassroots coalition of farmers and small businesses. Remember, 9 out of 10 voters support labels on genetically engineered food! Lies being spread against mandatory labeling of GMOs are the handiwork of big business propagandists, merchants of death hired to the dirty work for the tobacco companies, insurance industry and the chemical industry.
Connecticut Correction and Update
Last week, OCA erroneously reported that the labeling bill (HB 5117) in the Connecticut legislature was stalled and appeared to be going nowhere. This was untrue! Despite massive public support for labeling of GMOs, once again, Monsanto threatened a lawsuit and legislators rolled right over. Over the weekend, the bill was eviscerated and the labeling provision removed before it was voted on by the House. Unfortunately, we inadvertently predicted this kind of outrageous outcome. This subversion of democracy is why we need to stand up to Monsanto and support the California Ballot Initiative.
Right to Know Movement Heads to Oregon
There is a chance California won't be alone this November in the Right to Know Genetically Engineered Foods campaign. While we've just seen state legislatures in Vermont and Connecticut back down from passing similar GMO labeling legislation, even in the face of overwhelming public support, organizers in Oregon have a chance to take a cue from California and get an initiative on this year's ballot.
Oregon's Right to Know initiative, which mandates labeling for genetically engineered foods, has been jumping through the administrative hoops of the initiative process since March and is expected to emerge from that process ready for signature gathering at the beginning of June. That will give volunteers four weeks to gather at least 100,000 signatures before the initiative deadline. For the Oregon Right to Know initiative to succeed, they need your help. If you live in Oregon, visit the campaign's web site and volunteer to help gather signatures. Whether you collect signatures from your friends, family, and co-workers, collect at your church, or table at the farmers market, everyone's help is needed.
For more info visit the website or contact Scott Bates, the initiative's chief petitioner at scott@oregonrighttoknow.org and (971) 266-0920.
Also in Oregon, a group of Organic and non-GMO farmers and gardeners is petitioning to pass a County ordinance that will prohibit the growing of genetically engineered crops in Jackson County.
Fair World Project Announcement: Celebrate "World Fair Trade Day" With Fair Trade Sweepstakes to Sri Lanka
Fair World Project is celebrating World Fair Trade Day by organizing a joint promotion with some of our favorite mission driven brands that are dedicated to fair trade throughout their entire supply chains. Brands include: Alaffia, Alter Eco, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, Equal Exchange, Guayaki Yerba Mate, and Maggie's Organics. Look for special promotions from these manufacturers at natural product retailers this May.
Win a Fair Trade Adventure for Two!
We're also offering you a chance to Win a Fair Trade Adventure for Two to Sri Lanka with Intrepid Travel. The trip includes a visit to Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps coconut oil facility.
We've produced "For a Better World," a great educational video about fair trade principles showcasing all the good work Alaffia, Alter Eco, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, Equal Exchange, Guaykai Yerba Mate, and Maggie's Organics do.
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Message From Our Sponsors
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ronniecummins@organicconsumers.org