Monsato Bills in Congress threatening organic farming sent to committe 2/9/09 marked urgent- please read the web page cited and act.

[Christine Chapin]

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Monsanto-bills-being-rushe-by-Linn...

[Kat]

I agree this is urgent. Monsanto's actions have been getting more and more despicable. Here are a few links -- there are lots more. Google "Monsanto Rural Cleansing" and "Monsanto India".

http://www.growingedge.com/farmers-in-india-are-committing-suicide-...

http://a4cgr.wordpress.com/2009/01/14/monsanto-investigator-in-illi...

http://ngin.tripod.com/280502a.htm

youtube video that speaks about Monsanto's movements into India: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1TOss9Mslw

[Pam]

I went to the link and sent e-mails to congressmen and senators, what more can we do? I never believed that just growing our own food and saving seeds could become a radical and illegal action.

[Lana Sutton]

Contact our elected, national representatives (using the link below), and let them know we believe in organic, sustainable, and highly diverse food sources. We are not interested in letting Monsanto sue small farmers out of existence, or using their influence to force farmers to use their genetically modified seeds and pesticides:

http://www. votesmart. org/

Dear _____________________:

I'm deeply concerned about the direction Monsanto Company has taken in the past decade with respect to sustainable agriculture and farmers' rights.


I would like Congress to protect our rights to organic, sustainable, highly diverse and correctly labeled food. Protect our farmers and our food sources from Monsanto's tactics.


Right now we are at a critical crossroads in history, and I fear that Monsanto Company is not contributing to the nation's welfare with a "profits over people" attitude.


Monsanto Company has embarked on a vicious campaign against family farmers in the North American heartland, as well as across the world. These hardworking farmers are the backbone of our nation's food supply and national security. The current climate of insecurity has been exacerbated by your company¹s policies of intimidation, lawsuits and defamation.


Monsanto's legal actions against Percy Schmeiser, the Rodney Nelson family, and the Oakhurst Dairy for example, are deplorable attacks, and do not reflect your "Stake in the Ground" pledge to honesty and decency.


The North American farm sector is becoming a veritable wasteland. Monsanto's Genetically Engineered crops have increased pesticide use, destroyed key export markets and threaten global food safety. Over 90% of American consumers want genetically engineered foods labeled, while 60% or more want GE-Free food for themselves and for their families.


Family farmers have the right to produce the safe, sustainable food without fear of intimidation and litigation. Consumers have the right to choose food that guarantees their families' health and safety.
I demand that Congress act to ensure that Monsanto change course by adopting the following practices:

1.
Stop intimidating small family farmers
2.
Stop force-feeding untested and unlabeled genetically engineered foods on consumers
3. Stop using billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to subsidize genetically engineered crops- cotton, soybeans, corn, and canola.


I look forward to your written response on this important matter.


Sincerely,

_______________________________
* Source of sample petition has more information and petitions: http://www. organicconsumers. org/monfax. cfm

[Kat]

Isn't there a way to blow the lid off of this publicly? I understand writing to politicians, but I wonder if there is a way to get stories into the media, to help put pressure on the representatives, etc.

Can we somehow get more than a few activists involved? Surely there are people everywhere who would be infuriated by the stories I have read about Monsanto's actions and who would act quickly with regards to this bill.

I mean, they'll rally a million folks to save a kitten from abuse they view on youtube -- please tell me that as many people can stand up for the very survival of our food, our farmers and ourselves....