BIGGEST GMO LOSER

Huge Win: Monsanto Stock Downgraded After Worst Growth in 7 Years

Monsanto's stock showed bleak returns making it the worst growth in more than seven years thanks to both grassroots and international efforts. It's time to defeat the biotech hydra.

Published: December 6, 2014 | Authors: Christina Sarich | Natural Society | News Report

Here’s one for the history books, and a slap on the wrist for stock-holders like Bill Gates and George Soros. Monsanto stock has been downgraded to ‘Neutral’ from ‘Buy’ after an annual seed dealer industry survey showed bleak returns.
This may be the most depressing news in seven years for Monsanto, but great news for the seed industry, which has been monopolized by the chemical peddler since the early 1990s. The target price for (MON +0.1%) has been lowered from $140 to $127. Conditions affecting the downgrade include “greater discounting, reduced trait purchases, reduced spending on seeds, and share gains for non-major seeds brands” – with hardly a mention of the grass-roots, and international efforts of people to shine a light on Monsanto’s illegal influence on the world seed market.

“We are downgrading Monsanto from Buy to Neutral, due to the findings from our seventh Annual Seed Dealer Survey, which came back the most negative for the seed industry in the history of the survey,” Chris Shaw of Monness Crespi Hardt wrote. “The unprecedented results of this year’s survey has led us to be more cautious on Monsanto’s outlook for the current seed selling season.”

The firm who conducted the survey said the 50-plus dealers who responded are seeing challenging industry conditions – including greater discounting as a second straight year of significantly lower farm profits forces farmers to watch their spending closely, including on seeds. Could this be due to the outright false advertising by Monsanto that their GMO seeds would increase yields and be impervious to glyphosate and other herbicides?
Or what about the complete failure of Bt crops, designed to withstand the use of Monsanto’s favorite product – RoundUp? Indian farmers went belly-up trying to plant Monsanto seeds, causing an epidemic of suicides across the country. When Bt cotton started to fail, Big Biotech tried to blame the farmers. Come again?
US farmers are also complaining that biotech seeds are becoming much too expensive, resistant to weed killer, and can contaminate conventional seed crops.
Doug Gurian-Sherman, author of a 2009 study for the Union of Concerned Scientists comments on the failed promises of GM seeds to outperform conventional seeds:

“The technology has really been hyped up a lot. Even on a shoestring, conventional breeding outperforms genetic engineering.”

Hopefully this will spawn a new financial front against Monsanto as hedge fund managers and insider traders start dumping devalued Monsanto stock. Want to defeat the biotech hydra? Start with Wall Street.

Source:  http://www.nationofchange.org/2014/12/06/huge-win-monsanto-stock-downgraded-worst-growth-7-years/

CFS FILES LAWSUIT TO STOP EPA APPROVAL "ENLIST DUO"'s DEADLY ROUNDUP-2,4-D GMO FOOD CROP COMBO

I’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news is that despite hundreds of thousands of comments from people like you, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved Monsanto and Dow Chemical’s new “Enlist Duo” herbicide which is a mixture of glyphosate (the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup) and the even more toxic chemical 2,4-D, a component of “Agent Orange”used in the Vietnam war. The good news? Center for Food Safety filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against the EPA challenging this terrible decision! The chemical will be used on -- you guessed it -- Dow’s very own genetically engineered “Enlist” corn and soybeans, killing the weeds but not the crops, and increasing Dow’s profits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Dow’s genetically engineered corn and soybeans last month, making EPA’s approval of the herbicide the last step before Dow’s “Agent Orange” crops head to a supermarket near you. Sadly, our environmental watchdog is playing lapdog to the chemical industry, ignoring hundreds of thousands of comments urging it to do otherwise. When the EPA approved Enlist Duo, it knew this pesticide would contaminate our streams and rivers. There is absolutely no doubt that the pesticide will harm dozens of endangered species. We’ve fought approval of this toxic pesticide since the beginning, and we’re not going to stop now. That’s why Center for Food Safety has taken legal action to reverse this approval.  But the potential harm from Monsanto and Dow’s chemical cocktail doesn’t stop there: the chemicals can also end up on the food you eat every day. Exposure to 2,4-D has been linked to cancer, Parkinson’s disease, endocrine disruption, and reproductive problems. It’s already the 7th largest source of dioxins in the U.S. By the EPA’s own estimation, approval of “Enlist Duo” will lead to an unprecedented 2 to 7 fold increase in its use. We’re suing EPA because the toxic treadmill must stop. EPA and USDA cannot continue to ignore the history, science, and public opinion surrounding these dangerous chemicals. Why is this case so important? EPA and USDA have bowed to the chemical industry and rubber stamped these genetically engineered crops whose sole purpose is to promote ever more herbicide use and fatten the bottom line of Dow and Monsanto. Unless stopped, these crops will lead to a massive increase in the spraying of toxic chemicals and an increasing plague of herbicide resistant weeds that will choke America’s farmlands and threaten the livelihoods of our farmers. Monsanto and Dow Chemical aren’t going to back down from this fight. After all, “Enlist Duo” is designed to protect their very own genetically engineered crops and increase their profits. Pitch in $5 right now so that we can continue to be the voice of reason and fact in court on this issue. Thanks again for everything you do to make this fight possible, George Kimbrell, Senior Attorney Center for Food Safety National Headquarters 660 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, #302 Washington, DC 20003 phone (202) 547-9359 | fax (202) 547-9429   Contact Us CFS welcomes your questions and comments. Please contact us at office@centerforfoodsafety.org

DEC 3, 2014 GMO ROUNDUP - STORIES

KATU	Recount of Oregon GMO labeling measure begins KATU  - ‎12 hours ago‎ A hand recount began Tuesday for the Oregon ballot measure that would require labels for genetically modified foods. Counties have until Dec. 12 to complete the count where the first tally showed Measure 92 was narrowly defeated.

Great Falls Tribune

Montana senator calls for GMO labeling for food Great Falls Tribune  - ‎7 minutes ago‎ Tester, who is also an organic farmer from Big Sandy, said that consumers have the right to know what's in the food they eat. He supports the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act, which requires manufacturers to label genetically engineered foods.

Mother Jones

How Monsanto's Big Data Push Hurts Small Farms Mother Jones  - ‎4 hours ago‎ The payoff for growers can be huge: Monsanto estimates that farmers typically make 40 key choices in the course of a growing season—what seed to plant, when to plant it, and so on.

Frederick News Post (subscription) USAMRIID using genetically engineered cows to fight virus Frederick News Post (subscription)  - ‎9 hours ago‎ Scientists at SAB Biotherapeutics Inc. in South Dakota grew human antibodies in genetically engineered cows, which received an experimental vaccine against the virus. New York Times Business Day|USDA Approves Modified Potato. Next Up: French Fry Fans. New York Times  - ‎Nov 8, 2014‎ A potato genetically engineered to reduce the amounts of a potentially harmful ingredient in French fries and potato chips has been approved for commercial planting, the Department of Agriculture announced on Friday. Wall Street Journal ADM Sues Syngenta Over Genetically Engineered Corn Wall Street Journal  - ‎Nov 19, 2014‎ Archer Daniels Midland Co. sued Syngenta AG over losses the grain trader and processor said it suffered after Syngenta sold genetically engineered corn in the U.S. that had yet to win approval in China. ADM said Syngenta's push to sell its biotech corn ...   Hawaii GMO ban overturned Capital Press  - ‎21 hours ago‎ U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren has now invalidated that ban because it is pre-empted by state laws that govern agriculture, much like Kauai County's regulations that mandated pesticide buffers and mandatory reporting of genetically modified organisms. Watch the Intelligence Squared GMO Debate Biofortified Blog  - ‎9 hours ago‎ Tune in Wednesday, December 3rd for a debate on GMOs. Intelligence Squared is hosting a debate between four individuals from two opposing camps, addressing the question of whether or not we should grow genetically engineered foods. State, Kauai set up panel to study GMO pesticide impacts Hawaii News Now  - ‎6 hours ago‎ The meta-question if you will is are people being harmed from pesticides being sprayed by GMO companies?" said Peter Adler, a veteran mediator who will oversee the project. Here's How Your Neighborhood Voted on the GMO-Banning Measure P Lost Coast Outpost  - ‎16 hours ago‎ The results of last month's general election were certified by the Board of Supervisors this morning, which means that Kim Bergel is now your officially official next representative from Eureka's Third Ward on the Eureka City Council. Minnesota schools serve up non-GMO lunches as “educational” event Genetic Literacy Project  - ‎2 hours ago‎ Just when the backlash over first lady Michelle Obama's school lunch menu leveled off, students in a handful of Twin Cities schools got a taste of what could be another controversial food fad.   Drs. Oz and Roizen: Why we favor labeling GMO foods Buffalo News  - ‎Nov 28, 2014‎ We believe you deserve to know as much as possible about the food you put on your plate and feed your families. That's why we're in favor of labeling GM foods. Some 61 countries around the world, including most of Europe, do … but not the United State ... British opposition toward GMO food softening Genetic Literacy Project  - ‎Dec 2, 2014‎ On a damp Sunday afternoon shoppers at Tesco, a supermarket, in south London seem uninterested in discussing genetically modified (GM) food. Several shrug at the idea, or profess ignorance. One insists she only buys organic stuff, but only if it is not ...   STLtoday.com Are some Minnesota schools out to lunch over GMOs? Watchdog.org  - ‎Dec 2, 2014‎ “Having the GMO awareness day for our district was to really show that whether you agree with consuming GMOs or not, consumers should have the right to make that choice,” said Laura Metzger, Westonka schools' director of food and nutrition services. Head of Monsanto talks about battle over GMOs KITV Honolulu  - ‎Nov 28, 2014‎ Despite a nearly $8 million campaign, Maui County voters agreed to temporarily ban the growth of genetically modified organisms until the county deems it safe. That almost immediately triggered a lawsuit by GMO seed companies Monsanto and Dow ... Sorry Dr. Oz and Jenny McCarthy: More scientific proof vaccines, GMOs don't ... Genetic Literacy Project  - ‎Dec 1, 2014‎ Corroborating the fact that GMOs and vaccines don't cause autism, scientists have now linked mutations in over a hundred genes to autism in two recent studies published in Nature. Can precaution about GMOs really prevent potential disaster? Genetic Literacy Project  - ‎Dec 2, 2014‎ Taleb et al. apply the PP to the problem of genetically modified food, or GMOs, and conclude that the technology shouldn't be used.   PR Watch Monsanto Sues Maui for Direct Democracy, Launches New PR Campaign PR Watch  - ‎Nov 24, 2014‎ Residents of Maui County, Hawai'i voted on November 4 to ban the growing of genetically modified (GMO) crops on the islands of Maui, Lanai, and Molokai until scientific studies are conducted on their safety and benefits. UPDATE: Monness Crespi Hardt Downgrades Monsanto Benzinga  - ‎22 hours ago‎ "We are downgrading Monsanto from Buy to Neutral, due to the findings from our seventh Annual Seed Dealer Survey, which came back the most negative for the seed industry in the history of the survey," Shaw wrote.

THE NEW GMO LABELING ADVOCATES: OVER 700 US CHEFS DEMAND LABELING LAWS

Published on

Tuesday, December 02, 2014

by

Common Dreams

Out of the Kitchen and On Capitol Hill: Chefs Speak Out for GMO Labeling

'Having honest, clear labeling of the foods we eat is a fundamental right, one that’s worth fighting for.'

by

Deirdre Fulton, staff writer

Chef Tom Colicchio testifies before Congress in 2010. (Photo: House Committee on Education and the Workforce Democrats/flickr/cc)

More than 700 chefs and restauranteurs are calling on Congress to support legislation to mandate labeling of genetically modified foods and to oppose efforts to block state GMO labeling laws.

Advocates from Food Policy Action, Environmental Working Group, Center for Food Safety, Just Label It, and other national groups joined high-profile chefs—including Tom Colicchio, José Andrés, Art Smith, and Sam Talbot—on Tuesday for meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and to deliver a petition in favor of a GMO-labeling bill sponsored by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California) and Representative Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon).

"As chefs, we know that choosing the right ingredients is an absolutely critical part of cooking," reads the petition. "But when it comes to whether our ingredients contain genetically modified organisms, we're in the dark. The simple truth is consumers have the right to know what they're feeding their families, and as chefs we have a right to know what we're feeding our customers."

Further, the petition points out that while 93 percent of Americans support GMO labeling, the U.S. is one of the only industrialized countries in the world without labeling laws. GMO labeling laws have passed in Vermont, Maine, and Connecticut; an Oregon ballot measure requiring labels on all genetically modified food sold in the state will be recounted after falling just shy of the votes necessary for passage in the November election.

"As a chef and father, I want to know what I’m serving my customers and kids, and the majority of Americans want honest information about the food on their tables," said Colicchio, the owner of Craft Restaurants, co-founder of Food Policy Action, and head judge on Top Chef, who authored the petition. "Having honest, clear labeling of the foods we eat is a fundamental right, one that’s worth fighting for."

Culinary insiders are increasingly flexing their advocacy muscles outside the kitchen and in Washington, D.C.—a phenomenon explored at Politico last week.

"Colicchio is part of a growing army of chefs across the country looking to channel their growing celebrity to influence food and agriculture policy in Washington, from school nutrition to the farm bill to animal welfare and even fisheries management," wrote Helena Bottemiller Evich. "Their number is legion, their ranks full of names like Rachael Ray and Mario Batali along with scores of local celebrity chefs and restaurateurs—and their increasingly organized effort backs up some of the Obama administration’s sweeping food policy agenda right as it faces down an adversarial Congress."

"Chefs are among the most influential advocates I’ve ever lobbied with," Scott Faber, vice president of government affairs at the Environmental Working Group, told Politico. "They bring a business perspective to food policy that a traditional advocate might not bring and they rise above the partisan divide."

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License

Source:  http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/12/02/out-kitchen-and-capitol-hill-chefs-speak-out-gmo-labeling