Syngenta is the largest chemical company in the world. Notice that its a CHEMICAL company, not an agricultural comany. They develop and then patent (control) genetically engineered seeds, which are sold with contracts that bind farmers to use Syngentas chemicals exclusively. They have small plots of genetically engineered sugar beets scattered around the Rogue Valley. Some grow the beets out for new seed supply (which requires pollination to occur), and others are testing chemicals on the crops to see which chemicals can be applied, and how much. They typically lease chemical test plots for only one year, then move on to a different plot. (I have heard of at least one chemical test plot that couldnt even grow weeds for several years afterward, due to the heavy chemical drenching of the soil.) Syngenta has completely ignored a USDA buffer-zone rule that required GMO farms to not plant within four miles of certified organic farms. In fact, their known leased plots last year were scattered between organic farms, and in close proximity. Syngenta walked out of the Seed Growers Association when the association proposed using a pinning system to locate GMO and non-GMO farms, so that farmers could collaborate to minimize impact. By this action, Syngenta acknowledged that CO-EXISTENCE IS NOT POSSIBLE. So our local fight is primarily against the largest chemical company in the world, who has an established history of intentionally ignoring USDA rules and putting local farms at risk. In their wake they leave chemical-drenched soil (which washes into our streams). They are transient, having no loyalty to or from local landowners. Dare we risk the livelihood of our local family farmers? I say that THAT is a risk we cant afford!
Posted on: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 15:06:59 +0000
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