Misplaced Pages

March Against Monsanto: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 21:10, 11 August 2013 editPetrarchan47 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users14,771 edits Undid revision 568121513 by Viewmont Viking (talk)I hope you were joking with this. Please stop WP:OR and cherry picking sources to make some weird point.← Previous edit Revision as of 22:02, 11 August 2013 edit undoTryptofish (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers69,472 edits Reverting recent changes that are clearly against consensus. These changes were made without adequate engagement with ongoing discussions on the talk page.Next edit →
Line 1: Line 1:
] ]
The '''March Against Monsanto''' is an international ] movement against ], a producer and supplier of ] seed and of the ] ], which it markets under the ] brand.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304458604577490600217020934.html | work=Wall Street Journal | first=Ian | last=Berry | title=Monsanto Digs Into Seeds | date=June 26, 2012}}</ref> The movement was founded by Tami Canal in response to the failure of ], a ballot initiative which would have required labeling food products made from ]s (GMOs). Advocates support mandatory labeling laws for food made from GMOs and oppose what they and others call the "Monsanto Protection Act", a policy rider found in the ].<ref name="RT-eve">"". ''RT''. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref><ref name="BDC">"". ''Boulder Daily Camera''. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref><ref name="PostCourier">Quick, David (26 May 2013). "". ''The Post and Courier''. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> On May 25, 2013, an estimated 2 million <ref name=AP/> supporters marched or rallied, according to the organizers.. Events were held in 436 cities in 52 countries, according the AP.<ref name=autogenerated1></ref><ref name="AP">"". ''USA Today''. Associated Press. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> Canal said that the movement would continue its "anti-GMO cause" beyond the initial event.<ref name=AP/> The '''March Against Monsanto''' is an international ] movement against ], a producer and supplier of ] seed and of the ] ], which it markets under the ] brand.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304458604577490600217020934.html | work=Wall Street Journal | first=Ian | last=Berry | title=Monsanto Digs Into Seeds | date=June 26, 2012}}</ref> The movement was founded by Tami Canal in response to the failure of ], a ballot initiative which would have required labeling food products made from ]s (GMOs). Advocates support mandatory labeling laws for food made from GMOs and oppose what they and others call the "Monsanto Protection Act", a policy rider found in the ].<ref name="RT-eve">"". ''RT''. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref><ref name="BDC">"". ''Boulder Daily Camera''. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref><ref name="PostCourier">Quick, David (26 May 2013). "". ''The Post and Courier''. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> On May 25, 2013, an estimated 200,000<ref name=CTV>"". CTV News. CTV Kitchener. 25 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> to 2 million (according to the organizers)<ref name=AP/> supporters marched or rallied. Events took place in between 330<ref name="PostCourier"/> and 436<ref name="AP">"". ''USA Today''. Associated Press. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> cities around the world, mostly in the United States.<ref name="PostCourier"/> Canal said that the movement would continue its "anti-GMO cause" beyond the initial event.<ref name=AP/>


==Background== ==Background==

"March Against Monsanto" was created by Tami Monroe Canal, a full-time mother of two daughters and first-time activist. Talking about her personal motivations for starting the movement, Canal told the ''Salt Lake City Weekly'', "Companies like Kellogg's and General Mills are putting things like Fruit Loops on the market that are basically 100 percent genetically engineered ingredients. And that's marketed to our kids."<ref name="CityWeekly"/> Out of her anger, frustration, and concerns for the health of her children, Canal developed the idea for a "March Against Monsanto" and began a social media campaign.<ref name="CityWeekly"/><ref name="Epoch"/><ref name="CityWeekly">Peterson, Eric S. (29 May 2013). "". ''Salt Lake City Weekly''. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref><ref>Nowles, David (8 May 2013). " ". ''Daily News''. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref>

⚫ ===Social media campaign===
⚫ ]
⚫ ]
⚫ Canal started a ] social media campaign on February 28, 2013. She stated: "For too long, Monsanto has been the benefactor of corporate subsidies and political favoritism...Organic and small farmers suffer losses while Monsanto continues to forge its monopoly over the world's food supply, including exclusive patenting rights over seeds and genetic makeup." She argued that Monsanto benefited from corporate subsidies and political favoritism and that its patent rights over the genetic makeup of seeds resulted in losses to small and organic farmers.<ref name="RT-eve"/> Activists Emilie Rensink and Nick Bernabe worked with Canal to promote the march on various social media sites.<ref name="RT-eve"/> By May 21, the Facebook page had attracted 85,000 members with approximately 110,000 "likes" and about 40,000 daily visitors.<ref name="TDN">Taryn, Utiger (21 May 2013). "". ''Taranaki Daily News''. p. 4. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref><ref name="FW1">Case, Philip (31 May 2013). "". ''Farmers Weekly''. 159(22):83. Web version published online 23 May 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.</ref>
===GMO controversy=== ===GMO controversy===
{{Main|Genetically modified food controversies}} {{Main|Genetically modified food controversies}}


In the United States, the majority of corn, soybean, and cotton is ]. Monsanto an American multinational agricultural biotechnology company, is the largest producer of genetically engineered seed. Monsanto has been involved in ], as both plaintiff and defendant and has been criticized by US Senator ] for its opposition to labeling of GMO food products.<ref name="CNN"/> The US ] does not require labeling of GMO products in the marketplace; neither does it recognize a distinction between GMO and non-GMO foods.<ref name="AP"/> There is a broad ] that food on the market derived from GM crops poses no greater health risk than conventional food.<ref name="AAAS">American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Board of Directors (2012). </ref><ref name="AMA">American Medical Association (2012). </ref><ref name="WHO">World Health Organization. Accessed December 22, 2012.</ref><ref name=NRC2004>United States ] and ] (2004). Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods: Approaches to Assessing Unintended Health Effects. National Academies Press. . National Academies Press. See pp11ff on need for better standards and tools to evaluate GM food.</ref><ref name="Key">{{cite journal | author = Key S, Ma JK, Drake PM | title = Genetically modified plants and human health | journal = J R Soc Med | volume = 101 | issue = 6 | pages = 290–8 | year = 2008 | month = June | pmid = 18515776 | pmc = 2408621 | doi = 10.1258/jrsm.2008.070372 }}</ref><ref name=Other>Other sources: Monsanto is an American multinational agricultural biotechnology company headquartered in ]. They are the largest producer of genetically engineered seed. In the United States, the majority of corn, soybean, and cotton is ]. Monsanto has been involved in ], as both plaintiff and defendant. It has been criticized by US Senator ] for its opposition to labeling of GMO food products.<ref name="CNN"/>
The US ] does not require labeling of GMO products in the marketplace; neither does it recognize a distinction between GMO and non-GMO foods.<ref name="AP"/> There is a broad ] that food on the market derived from GM crops poses no greater health risk than conventional food.<ref name="AAAS">American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Board of Directors (2012). </ref><ref name="AMA">American Medical Association (2012). </ref><ref name="WHO">World Health Organization. Accessed December 22, 2012.</ref><ref name=NRC2004>United States ] and ] (2004). Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods: Approaches to Assessing Unintended Health Effects. National Academies Press. . National Academies Press. See pp11ff on need for better standards and tools to evaluate GM food.</ref><ref name="Key">{{cite journal | author = Key S, Ma JK, Drake PM | title = Genetically modified plants and human health | journal = J R Soc Med | volume = 101 | issue = 6 | pages = 290–8 | year = 2008 | month = June | pmid = 18515776 | pmc = 2408621 | doi = 10.1258/jrsm.2008.070372 }}</ref><ref name=Other>Other sources:
*Winter CK and Gallegos LK (2006). University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Communications, Publication 8180. *Winter CK and Gallegos LK (2006). University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Communications, Publication 8180.
*{{cite journal | author = Ronald, Pamela | title = Plant Genetics, Sustainable Agriculture and Global Food Security | journal = Genetics | volume = 188 | issue = 1 | pages = 11–20 | year = 2011 | url=http://www.genetics.org/content/188/1/11.long }} *{{cite journal | author = Ronald, Pamela | title = Plant Genetics, Sustainable Agriculture and Global Food Security | journal = Genetics | volume = 188 | issue = 1 | pages = 11–20 | year = 2011 | url=http://www.genetics.org/content/188/1/11.long }}
Line 19: Line 14:
*{{cite journal|last=Bett|first=Charles|coauthors=Ouma, James Okuro; Groote, Hugo De|title=Perspectives of gatekeepers in the Kenyan food industry towards genetically modified food|journal=Food Policy|date=August 2010|volume=35|issue=4|pages=332–340|doi=10.1016/j.foodpol.2010.01.003}} *{{cite journal|last=Bett|first=Charles|coauthors=Ouma, James Okuro; Groote, Hugo De|title=Perspectives of gatekeepers in the Kenyan food industry towards genetically modified food|journal=Food Policy|date=August 2010|volume=35|issue=4|pages=332–340|doi=10.1016/j.foodpol.2010.01.003}}
*{{cite journal | author=Li, Quan |author2=McCluskey, Jill |author3=Wahl, Thomas | title = Effects of information on consumers’ willingness to pay for GM-corn-fed beef | journal = Journal of Agricultural and Food Industrial Organization | volume=2 | issue=2 | pages =1–16 | year = 2004 | url=http://www.researchgate.net/publication/24015285_Effects_of_Information_on_Consumers%27_Willingness_to_Pay_for_GM-Corn-Fed_Beef }} *{{cite journal | author=Li, Quan |author2=McCluskey, Jill |author3=Wahl, Thomas | title = Effects of information on consumers’ willingness to pay for GM-corn-fed beef | journal = Journal of Agricultural and Food Industrial Organization | volume=2 | issue=2 | pages =1–16 | year = 2004 | url=http://www.researchgate.net/publication/24015285_Effects_of_Information_on_Consumers%27_Willingness_to_Pay_for_GM-Corn-Fed_Beef }}
*Dr. Christopher Preston, AgBioWorld 2011. </ref> However, some farmers, doctors, and researchers dispute that such foods are safe.<ref name="Epoch"/><ref>http://articles.latimes.com/2012/oct/24/science/la-sci-gmo-food-safety-studies-20121025</ref> *Dr. Christopher Preston, AgBioWorld 2011. </ref> However, the ''Epoch Time''s reports that some farmers, doctors, and researchers<ref>Contrary to the scientific consensus.</ref> dispute that such foods are safe,<ref name="Epoch"/> and the Associated Press has reported that some consumers, companies, and organizations have advocated mandatory labeling laws due to their concerns about health and about harm to the environment.<ref name="AP"/> The ] supports voluntary labeling but opposes mandatory labeling laws because it believes it would "mislead or confuse consumers into thinking the products aren't safe".<ref name="AP"/> According to ], most developed nations label, restrict, or ban GMOs.<ref name="CityWeekly"/>

The Associated Press has reported that some consumers, companies, and organizations have advocated mandatory labeling laws due to their concerns about health and about harm to the environment.<ref name="AP"/> Some US states have moved towards requiring labels.<ref></ref> The ] supports voluntary labeling but opposes mandatory labeling laws because it believes it would "mislead or confuse consumers into thinking the products aren't safe".<ref name="AP"/> According to ], most developed nations label, restrict, or ban GMOs.<ref name="CityWeekly"/>


===California Proposition 37 and the Farmer Assurance Provision=== ===California Proposition 37 and the Farmer Assurance Provision===
{{Further|California Proposition 37 (2012)|Farmer Assurance Provision}} {{Further|California Proposition 37 (2012)|Farmer Assurance Provision}}
⚫ ]

March Against Monsanto was created by Tami Monroe Canal, a full-time mother of two daughters. Canal was living as a resident in California when Proposition 37, a ballot initiative that would have required labels on products containing ], was rejected by voters in November 2012. Monsanto spent $8.1 million opposing the passage of Proposition 37, making it the largest donor against the initiative. <ref>{{cite web | title = Prop 37: Californian voters reject GM food labelling | url =http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/nov/07/prop-37-californian-gm-labelling?INTCMP=SRCH | first = Adam | last = Vaughan | publisher =The Guardian}}</ref> The combined total spent by food industry ]s on the campaign to defeat Proposition 37 was $45 million.<ref name="Epoch">Milner, Conan (21 May 2013). "". ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> Canal credits Proposition 37 with "opening her eyes" to GMOs for the first time.<ref name="CityWeekly"/> March Against Monsanto was created by Tami Monroe Canal, a full-time mother of two daughters. Canal was living as a resident in California when Proposition 37, a ballot initiative that would have required labels on products containing ], was rejected by voters in November 2012. Monsanto spent $8.1 million opposing the passage of Proposition 37, making it the largest donor against the initiative. <ref>{{cite web | title = Prop 37: Californian voters reject GM food labelling | url =http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/nov/07/prop-37-californian-gm-labelling?INTCMP=SRCH | first = Adam | last = Vaughan | publisher =The Guardian}}</ref> The combined total spent by food industry ]s on the campaign to defeat Proposition 37 was $45 million.<ref name="Epoch">Milner, Conan (21 May 2013). "". ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> Canal credits Proposition 37 with "opening her eyes" to GMOs for the first time.<ref name="CityWeekly"/>


Soon after, Canal moved to Utah where she had difficulty finding the same kinds of fresh foods and ]s she had left behind in California. "I became increasingly angry every time I would go to the grocery store and spend a small fortune to ensure I wasn't feeding my family poison", she recalled.<ref name="Epoch"/> Soon after, Canal moved to Utah where she had difficulty finding the same kinds of fresh foods and ]s she had left behind in California. "I became increasingly angry every time I would go to the grocery store and spend a small fortune to ensure I wasn't feeding my family poison", she recalled.<ref name="Epoch"/> Canal was not only angry about the failure of Proposition 37 and frustrated with trying to find reasonably priced healthy food, but she was also concerned about the health of her children.<ref name="CityWeekly">Peterson, Eric S. (29 May 2013). "". ''Salt Lake City Weekly''. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref><ref>Nowles, David (8 May 2013). " ". ''Daily News''. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> Talking about her personal motivations for starting the movement, Canal told the ''Salt Lake City Weekly'', "Companies like Kellogg's and General Mills are putting things like Fruit Loops on the market that are basically 100 percent genetically engineered ingredients. And that's marketed to our kids."<ref name="CityWeekly"/>


The protest was also motivated by President ]'s signing, on March 26, 2013, of the Farmer Assurance Provision, which is Section 735 of US H.R. 933.<ref name="RT3">"". RT. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> The section of the bill is called the "]" by critics, and it authorizes the ] to allow the planting and cultivation of genetically modified food while environmental reviews are being completed, even if there is a legal ruling against their approval.<ref name="NPRSalt">National Public Radio: The Salt: March 21, 2013.</ref> Prior to the march, the group hosted an essay on their website highlighting what they saw as lack of attention to the Act in the mainstream media.<ref></ref> Dave Murphy, founder of ''Food Democracy Now!'', called the controversy over H.R. 933 "the turning point in the debate on political lobbying and genetic engineering in the U.S." and he described the March Against Monsanto as raising "one of the most pressing issues of our time".<ref name="Murphy">Murphy, Dave (28 May 2013). "". ''The Huffington Post''. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> The protest was also motivated by President ]'s signing, on March 26, 2013, of the Farmer Assurance Provision, which is Section 735 of US H.R. 933.<ref name="RT3"/> The section of the bill is called the "]" by critics, and it authorizes the ] to allow the planting and cultivation of genetically modified food while environmental reviews are being completed, even if there is a legal ruling against their approval.<ref name="NPRSalt">National Public Radio: The Salt: March 21, 2013.</ref> Prior to the march, the group hosted an essay on their website highlighting what they saw as lack of attention to the Act in the mainstream media.<ref></ref> Dave Murphy, founder of ''Food Democracy Now!'', called the controversy over H.R. 933 "the turning point in the debate on political lobbying and genetic engineering in the U.S." and he described the March Against Monsanto as raising "one of the most pressing issues of our time".<ref name="Murphy">Murphy, Dave (28 May 2013). "". ''The Huffington Post''. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref>

⚫ ===Social media campaign===
⚫ Canal started a ] social media campaign on February 28, 2013. She stated: "For too long, Monsanto has been the benefactor of corporate subsidies and political favoritism...Organic and small farmers suffer losses while Monsanto continues to forge its monopoly over the world's food supply, including exclusive patenting rights over seeds and genetic makeup." She argued that Monsanto benefited from corporate subsidies and political favoritism and that its patent rights over the genetic makeup of seeds resulted in losses to small and organic farmers.<ref name="RT-eve"/> Activists Emilie Rensink and Nick Bernabe worked with Canal to promote the march on various social media sites.<ref name="RT-eve"/> By May 21, the Facebook page had attracted 85,000 members with approximately 110,000 "likes" and about 40,000 daily visitors.<ref name="TDN">Taryn, Utiger (21 May 2013). "". ''Taranaki Daily News''. p. 4. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref><ref name="FW1">Case, Philip (31 May 2013). "". ''Farmers Weekly''. 159(22):83. Web version published online 23 May 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.</ref>


==March== ==March==
Line 38: Line 34:
| image2 = from ] | image2 = from ]
}} }}
⚫ On May 25, 2013 protests took place around the world; according to organizers they took place in 436 cities in 52 countries.<ref name=LAT/><ref name="spiegel">"". ''Der Spiegel''. 26 May 2013. . Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> The Charleston Post and Courier reported 330 distinct events in 44 different nations, including about 250 protests in the USA on this day.<ref name="PostCourier" /> ] reported the total number of participants to be 200,000;<ref name=CTV/> the '']'' reported "hundreds of thousands".<ref name=NYT_Harman>{{cite newspaper
⚫ ]]
|last=Harman
⚫ On May 25, 2013 protests took place around the world; according to organizers 436 cities in 52 countries had marches and rallies.<ref name=LAT/><ref name="spiegel">"". ''Der Spiegel''. 26 May 2013. . Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> The ], ] and ] reported that roughly 2 million participants marched.<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref name=autogenerated1 />
|first=Amy
|date=27 July 2013
|accessdate=31 July 2013
|newspaper=New York Times
|title=A Race to Save the Orange by Altering Its DNA
|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/28/science/a-race-to-save-the-orange-by-altering-its-dna.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0}}</ref> March organizers estimated 2 million people participated.<ref name=CNN/><ref name="RT3">"". RT. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref><ref></ref>


In Southern California, protests occurred in Los Angeles, including Venice, Long Beach, and San Diego. In Los Angeles, protesters marched from Pershing Square to City Hall. Some carried signs expressing support for mandatory labeling of GMOs that read "Label GMOs, It's Our Right to Know", and "Real Food 4 Real People". Dorothy Muehlmann, organizer of the L.A. march, said that they were marching to raise awareness. "This is not just a 'boo Monsanto' protest. We want more people to know so they can make their own decisions."<ref name="LAT">Xia, Rosanna (28 May 2013). "". ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref><ref name="CNN">Tapper, Jake (28 May 2013). "". '']''. CNN. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref><ref>"". ''International Business Times''. 25 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> In Southern California, protests occurred in Los Angeles, including Venice, Long Beach, and San Diego. In Los Angeles, protesters marched from Pershing Square to City Hall. Some carried signs expressing support for mandatory labeling of GMOs that read "Label GMOs, It's Our Right to Know", and "Real Food 4 Real People". Dorothy Muehlmann, organizer of the L.A. march, said that they were marching to raise awareness. "This is not just a 'boo Monsanto' protest. We want more people to know so they can make their own decisions."<ref name="LAT">Xia, Rosanna (28 May 2013). "". ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref><ref name="CNN">Tapper, Jake (28 May 2013). "". '']''. CNN. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref><ref>"". ''International Business Times''. 25 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref>
Line 47: Line 49:
==Positions== ==Positions==
The March Against Monsanto published on its website a list of concerns, and its positions on a number of GMO issues. According to the group, the protests were held to address supposed health and safety issues, perceived conflicts of interest, and agricultural, environmental, and legislative concerns.<ref></ref> These include:<ref name="E">Blomberg, Lindsey (26 May 2013). "." ''E–The Environmental Magazine''. p. 9. {{issn|1046-8021}}</ref> The March Against Monsanto published on its website a list of concerns, and its positions on a number of GMO issues. According to the group, the protests were held to address supposed health and safety issues, perceived conflicts of interest, and agricultural, environmental, and legislative concerns.<ref></ref> These include:<ref name="E">Blomberg, Lindsey (26 May 2013). "." ''E–The Environmental Magazine''. p. 9. {{issn|1046-8021}}</ref>
⚫ ]
* The belief that GM foods can adversely affect human health. Some of the protesters claimed<ref>See ] for the scientific consensus.</ref> that such foods cause "cancer, infertility and birth defects".<ref name=IBT>{{cite news * The belief that GM foods can adversely affect human health. Some of the protesters claimed<ref>See ] for the scientific consensus.</ref> that such foods cause "cancer, infertility and birth defects".<ref name=IBT>{{cite news
|title=Occupy Monsanto: UK Campaigners set to Target Genetically Modified Food |title=Occupy Monsanto: UK Campaigners set to Target Genetically Modified Food
Line 69: Line 72:


==Media coverage== ==Media coverage==
⚫ ]
The protests were covered by news outlets including ],<ref name="ABC"></ref> the ],<ref name="AP"/> '']'',<ref name="TWP">"". ''The Washington Post''. 25 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> '']'',<ref name=LAT/> '']'',<ref name=USAToday></ref> and ]<ref name=CNN/> (in the United States), and '']''<ref name="RT4">"". RT. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> and '']''<ref>''The Guardian'': . 25 May 2013.</ref> (outside the United States).


Kojo Livingstone wrote in the '']'' that "much of the mainstream media was sympathetic to" Monsanto.<ref name="TLW">Livingston, J. Kojo (3 June 2013). "". ''The Louisiana Weekly''. Retrieved 21 June 2013.</ref> Joseph Bachman, writing in the ''Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune'', questioned what he saw as a lack of mainstream media coverage.<ref name="WRT">Bachman, Joseph (6 June 2013). "". ''Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune''. Retrieved 21 June 2013.{{subscription required}}</ref> Radio host ] compared what he saw as scant coverage of the protests to the greater media attention garnered by small ] rallies.<ref name="TTHS">Hartmann, Thom (28 May 2013)."". ''The Thom Hartmann Program''. Talk Radio News Service. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref> Kojo Livingstone wrote in the '']'' that "much of the mainstream media was sympathetic to" Monsanto.<ref name="TLW">Livingston, J. Kojo (3 June 2013). "". ''The Louisiana Weekly''. Retrieved 21 June 2013.</ref> Joseph Bachman, writing in the ''Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune'', questioned what he saw as a lack of mainstream media coverage.<ref name="WRT">Bachman, Joseph (6 June 2013). "". ''Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune''. Retrieved 21 June 2013.{{subscription required}}</ref> Radio host ] compared what he saw as scant coverage of the protests to the greater media attention garnered by small ] rallies.<ref name="TTHS">Hartmann, Thom (28 May 2013)."". ''The Thom Hartmann Program''. Talk Radio News Service. Retrieved 18 June 2013.</ref>

In post-march coverage, ] printed, "While March Against Monsanto was among the largest global efforts in history with 400 simultaneous events in 60 countries around the globe, no major corporate media outlets in the US covered the live event. CNN ran a followup short on the event on May 28, and mainstream coverage has trickled in here and there, but has been sparse."<ref></ref>


==Future plans== ==Future plans==

Revision as of 22:02, 11 August 2013

March Against Monsanto, Vancouver, Canada; May 25, 2013

The March Against Monsanto is an international grassroots movement against Monsanto, a producer and supplier of genetically modified seed and of the herbicide glyphosate, which it markets under the Roundup brand. The movement was founded by Tami Canal in response to the failure of California Proposition 37, a ballot initiative which would have required labeling food products made from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Advocates support mandatory labeling laws for food made from GMOs and oppose what they and others call the "Monsanto Protection Act", a policy rider found in the Farmer Assurance Provision. On May 25, 2013, an estimated 200,000 to 2 million (according to the organizers) supporters marched or rallied. Events took place in between 330 and 436 cities around the world, mostly in the United States. Canal said that the movement would continue its "anti-GMO cause" beyond the initial event.

Background

GMO controversy

Main article: Genetically modified food controversies

Monsanto is an American multinational agricultural biotechnology company headquartered in Creve Coeur, Missouri. They are the largest producer of genetically engineered seed. In the United States, the majority of corn, soybean, and cotton is genetically modified. Monsanto has been involved in high profile lawsuits, as both plaintiff and defendant. It has been criticized by US Senator Bernie Sanders for its opposition to labeling of GMO food products.

The US Food and Drug Administration does not require labeling of GMO products in the marketplace; neither does it recognize a distinction between GMO and non-GMO foods. There is a broad scientific consensus that food on the market derived from GM crops poses no greater health risk than conventional food. However, the Epoch Times reports that some farmers, doctors, and researchers dispute that such foods are safe, and the Associated Press has reported that some consumers, companies, and organizations have advocated mandatory labeling laws due to their concerns about health and about harm to the environment. The Biotechnology Industry Organization supports voluntary labeling but opposes mandatory labeling laws because it believes it would "mislead or confuse consumers into thinking the products aren't safe". According to The Non-GMO Project, most developed nations label, restrict, or ban GMOs.

California Proposition 37 and the Farmer Assurance Provision

Further information: California Proposition 37 (2012) and Farmer Assurance Provision
Tami Canal, March Against Monsanto, Salt Lake City, Utah

March Against Monsanto was created by Tami Monroe Canal, a full-time mother of two daughters. Canal was living as a resident in California when Proposition 37, a ballot initiative that would have required labels on products containing genetically engineered food, was rejected by voters in November 2012. Monsanto spent $8.1 million opposing the passage of Proposition 37, making it the largest donor against the initiative. The combined total spent by food industry advocacy groups on the campaign to defeat Proposition 37 was $45 million. Canal credits Proposition 37 with "opening her eyes" to GMOs for the first time.

Soon after, Canal moved to Utah where she had difficulty finding the same kinds of fresh foods and farmers' markets she had left behind in California. "I became increasingly angry every time I would go to the grocery store and spend a small fortune to ensure I wasn't feeding my family poison", she recalled. Canal was not only angry about the failure of Proposition 37 and frustrated with trying to find reasonably priced healthy food, but she was also concerned about the health of her children. Talking about her personal motivations for starting the movement, Canal told the Salt Lake City Weekly, "Companies like Kellogg's and General Mills are putting things like Fruit Loops on the market that are basically 100 percent genetically engineered ingredients. And that's marketed to our kids."

The protest was also motivated by President Barack Obama's signing, on March 26, 2013, of the Farmer Assurance Provision, which is Section 735 of US H.R. 933. The section of the bill is called the "Monsanto Protection Act" by critics, and it authorizes the United States Department of Agriculture to allow the planting and cultivation of genetically modified food while environmental reviews are being completed, even if there is a legal ruling against their approval. Prior to the march, the group hosted an essay on their website highlighting what they saw as lack of attention to the Act in the mainstream media. Dave Murphy, founder of Food Democracy Now!, called the controversy over H.R. 933 "the turning point in the debate on political lobbying and genetic engineering in the U.S." and he described the March Against Monsanto as raising "one of the most pressing issues of our time".

Social media campaign

Canal started a Facebook social media campaign on February 28, 2013. She stated: "For too long, Monsanto has been the benefactor of corporate subsidies and political favoritism...Organic and small farmers suffer losses while Monsanto continues to forge its monopoly over the world's food supply, including exclusive patenting rights over seeds and genetic makeup." She argued that Monsanto benefited from corporate subsidies and political favoritism and that its patent rights over the genetic makeup of seeds resulted in losses to small and organic farmers. Activists Emilie Rensink and Nick Bernabe worked with Canal to promote the march on various social media sites. By May 21, the Facebook page had attracted 85,000 members with approximately 110,000 "likes" and about 40,000 daily visitors.

March

External images
image icon Images from The Washington Post
image icon Timeline and images from RT

On May 25, 2013 protests took place around the world; according to organizers they took place in 436 cities in 52 countries. The Charleston Post and Courier reported 330 distinct events in 44 different nations, including about 250 protests in the USA on this day. CTV News reported the total number of participants to be 200,000; the New York Times reported "hundreds of thousands". March organizers estimated 2 million people participated.

In Southern California, protests occurred in Los Angeles, including Venice, Long Beach, and San Diego. In Los Angeles, protesters marched from Pershing Square to City Hall. Some carried signs expressing support for mandatory labeling of GMOs that read "Label GMOs, It's Our Right to Know", and "Real Food 4 Real People". Dorothy Muehlmann, organizer of the L.A. march, said that they were marching to raise awareness. "This is not just a 'boo Monsanto' protest. We want more people to know so they can make their own decisions."

Environmental journalist John Upton of Grist magazine noted that the march took place two days after Senate Amendment 965 to the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 was rejected. The amendment, introduced by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, was an attempt to allow states to label GMO foods. "Any U.S. senators paying attention to what was happening in the entire world over the weekend may have noticed a teensy disconnect between their protectionist votes for Monsanto and global discontent with the GMO giant," Upton wrote.

Positions

The March Against Monsanto published on its website a list of concerns, and its positions on a number of GMO issues. According to the group, the protests were held to address supposed health and safety issues, perceived conflicts of interest, and agricultural, environmental, and legislative concerns. These include:

March Against Monsanto, Stockholm, Sweden
  • The belief that GM foods can adversely affect human health. Some of the protesters claimed that such foods cause "cancer, infertility and birth defects".
  • Allegations of a conflict of interest between former employees of Monsanto who work for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
  • Claimed economic losses by small farmers faced with Monsanto's patent rights and monopoly of the food supply.
  • Concerns about GMOs harming the environment, and their role in declining bee populations in particular.
  • Concerns about legislation like the Farmer Assurance Provision. On the day of the protests, WFTS-TV in Tampa, Florida, reported that protesters were calling for the bill's repeal. Protesters argued that the legislation allows Monsanto to ignore court rulings.

Monsanto and industry response

Hugh Grant, head of Monsanto

Prior to the march, Monsanto's CEO Hugh Grant had accused the petitioners of wanting to block others from choosing more affordable food options, thus being guilty of "elitism".

Monsanto released a statement on the day of the march to the Associated Press, stating that it respected people's rights to express their opinion on the topic, but maintaining that its seeds improved agriculture by helping farmers produce more from their land while conserving resources such as water and energy. Commenting in response to news of the march, Adam Blight, corporate spokesperson for Monsanto in Australia and New Zealand, stated that GE foods were fine and that biotechnology was one of the tools to help farmers yield more from their crops and thus feed the increasing global population.

Alicia Maluafiti, executive director of the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, a Hawaiian agricultural biotechnology trade association of which Monsanto is a member, responded to the march by noting that "enetically modified crops are the most tested and regulated crops, and the scientific consensus about their safety is overwhelming."

Media coverage

March Against Monsanto in Amsterdam

The protests were covered by news outlets including ABC News, the Associated Press, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and CNN (in the United States), and Russia Today and The Guardian (outside the United States).

Kojo Livingstone wrote in the Louisiana Weekly that "much of the mainstream media was sympathetic to" Monsanto. Joseph Bachman, writing in the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, questioned what he saw as a lack of mainstream media coverage. Radio host Thom Hartmann compared what he saw as scant coverage of the protests to the greater media attention garnered by small Tea Party rallies.

Future plans

March Against Monsanto organizer Tami Canal said she was surprised by the viral response and plans to continue raising awareness. March Against Monsanto joined forces with other GMO protest groups, including "Moms Across America" and "Occupy Monsanto", and have planned another other march for World Food Day on October 12, 2013.

See also

References

  1. Berry, Ian (June 26, 2012). "Monsanto Digs Into Seeds". Wall Street Journal.
  2. ^ "On the eve of March against Monsanto Senate shoots down GMO labeling bill". RT. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  3. "Boulder residents participate in worldwide March Against Monsanto". Boulder Daily Camera. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  4. ^ Quick, David (26 May 2013). "More than 100 participate in Charleston’s March Against Monsanto, one of 300+ in world on Saturday". The Post and Courier. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  5. ^ "'March Against Monsanto' comes to King Street in Kitchener". CTV News. CTV Kitchener. 25 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  6. ^ "Protesters Around the World March Against Monsanto". USA Today. Associated Press. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  7. ^ Tapper, Jake (28 May 2013). "Millions protest genetically modified food, Monsanto". The Lead with Jake Tapper. CNN. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  8. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Board of Directors (2012). Legally Mandating GM Food Labels Could Mislead and Falsely Alarm Consumers
  9. American Medical Association (2012). Report 2 of the Council on Science and Public Health: Labeling of Bioengineered Foods
  10. World Health Organization. Food safety: 20 questions on genetically modified foods. Accessed December 22, 2012.
  11. United States Institute of Medicine and National Research Council (2004). Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods: Approaches to Assessing Unintended Health Effects. National Academies Press. Free full-text. National Academies Press. See pp11ff on need for better standards and tools to evaluate GM food.
  12. Key S, Ma JK, Drake PM (2008). "Genetically modified plants and human health". J R Soc Med. 101 (6): 290–8. doi:10.1258/jrsm.2008.070372. PMC 2408621. PMID 18515776. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. Other sources:
  14. Contrary to the scientific consensus.
  15. ^ Milner, Conan (21 May 2013). "Protests Against Monsanto in 55 Countries". The Epoch Times. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  16. ^ Peterson, Eric S. (29 May 2013). "SLC March Against Monsanto". Salt Lake City Weekly. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  17. Vaughan, Adam. "Prop 37: Californian voters reject GM food labelling". The Guardian.
  18. Nowles, David (8 May 2013). " Stars align in protest against food giant Monsanto over GMO crops". Daily News. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  19. ^ "Challenging Monsanto: Over two million march the streets of 436 cities, 52 countries". RT. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  20. National Public Radio: The Salt: Did Congress Just Give GMOs A Free Pass In The Courts? March 21, 2013.
  21. March Against Monsanto: How The March Against Monsanto Can (and will) Change The World
  22. Murphy, Dave (28 May 2013). "Dave Murphy: The March to Stop Monsanto: Taking Back Our Food, Our Farms, Our Democracy and Our Planet". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  23. Taryn, Utiger (21 May 2013). "NZ urged to remain GE-free zone". Taranaki Daily News. p. 4. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  24. Case, Philip (31 May 2013). "March Against Monsanto planned for UK cities". Farmers Weekly. 159(22):83. Web version published online 23 May 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  25. ^ Xia, Rosanna (28 May 2013). "Hundreds in L.A. march in global protest against Monsanto, GMOs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  26. "Umstrittener Gen-Konzern: Weltweite Proteste gegen Monsanto". Der Spiegel. 26 May 2013. [English translation via Google Translate. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  27. Harman, Amy (27 July 2013). "A Race to Save the Orange by Altering Its DNA". New York Times. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  28. Millions march against GM crops | Environment | theguardian.com
  29. "'March Against Monsanto' Draws As Many As 2 Million Globally, As Facebook And Twitter Once Again Show Social Media’s Effectiveness As Organizing Tools". International Business Times. 25 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  30. Upton, John (27 May 2013). (As world marches against Monsanto, senators protect it from labeling laws. Grist. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  31. March Against Monsanto: Why Do We March?
  32. Blomberg, Lindsey (26 May 2013). "The March Against Monsanto." E–The Environmental Magazine. p. 9. ISSN 1046-8021
  33. See GMO controversy for the scientific consensus.
  34. Osborne, Hannah (24 May 2013). "Occupy Monsanto: UK Campaigners set to Target Genetically Modified Food". International Business Times. Retrieved July 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  35. "March Against Monsanto in Tampa, St. Pete". WFTS-TV. Scripps Media, Inc.
  36. "'Monsanto Protection Act' might be repealed in Senate". RT. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  37. Lewis, Al (29 May 2013). "Monsanto Sows Seeds Of Protest". Fox Business Network. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  38. Murray, Ryan (8 June 2013). "Backlash growing against GMOs". Daily Inter Lake. McClatchy-Tribune Regional News. Retrieved 18 June 2013; Milner, Conan (21 May 2013). "Protests Against Monsanto in 55 Countries". The Epoch Times. Retrieved 18 June 2013; For the original Bloomberg interview, see: Kaskey, Jack (15 May 2013). "Monsanto Sees 'Elitism' in Social Media-Fanned Opposition". Bloomberg. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  39. Moayyed, Mava (27 May 2013). "Marching against genetic engineering". The Wellingtonian. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  40. Perry, Brian (26 May 2013). "Protesters against GMOs, but Monsanto says crops are safe". The Maui News. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  41. Hawaii Crop Improvement Association. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  42. Search Results for March against monsanto - ABC News
  43. "Monsanto protests around the world". The Washington Post. 25 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  44. Protesters around the world march against Monsanto
  45. "Global march challenges Monsanto's dominance: TIMELINE". RT. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  46. The Guardian: Millions march against GM crops. 25 May 2013.
  47. ^ Livingston, J. Kojo (3 June 2013). "Millions worldwide join March against Monsanto". The Louisiana Weekly. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  48. Bachman, Joseph (6 June 2013). "Monsanto Protests Not in the News". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. Retrieved 21 June 2013.(subscription required)
  49. Hartmann, Thom (28 May 2013)."So Much For The Liberal Media". The Thom Hartmann Program. Talk Radio News Service. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  50. Facebook page for Moms Across America
  51. Short, April M. (2 June 2013). "Worldwide Movement Against Monsanto Gaining Steam". AlterNet. Retrieved 18 June 2013.

Further reading

External links

Monsanto
People
CEO
Other
Subsidiaries
Facilities
Products
Amusement park attractions
Legal cases and protests
Related
Genetic engineering
Genetically
modified
organisms
Crops
Maize/corn
Potato
Rice
Soybean
Tomato
Cotton
Wheat
Other
Animals
Mammals
Other animals
Bacteria
and viruses
Processes
Inserting DNA
Types
Uses
In agriculture
In humans and
diagnostics
In research
Related
articles
Regulation
Geography
Similar fields
Categories: