WHY ARE WE CHEERING?

WHY ARE WE CHEERING?

Pesticides 5

Give me a “G”

Give me an “M”

What does that spell?

GENETIC MODIFICATION

Al Gore: Our Choice , page 124

“Gene splicing is a fast and powerful process modifying plant traits – dramatically increasing yields.”

Those opposed “fear that the selections of traits by scientists working for business could result in genetic modifications that pose hidden risks for people and ecological systems.”

Page 125:

Risk of “Unintended Side Effects could become widespread before its fully recognized and understood.”

“The Choice has effectively been made by our civilization to move forward even further into genetic modification.”

‘By 2008, 8 percent of all cultivated land in the world was planted with GM crops.”

“ Most scientists have come to the conclusion that the risks from GM are extremely low while economic benefits are very high.”

PROBLEM:  Root Worms cut corn roots.

In wet years leaning plants are hard to harvest.

In dry years the yield is lower from pruned roots.

March 29, 2014 RFDTV Farm Report:

Syngenta has genetically modified corn to control rootworm.

Agrisure Durocade sold out in 2014.

Trait: Agrisure Viptera MIR 162

They had wanted to hold off commercialization until China approved this specific GM. (Hasn’t done yet, either)

The EU approved imports for 2012

The U.S. exports 1.45 billion bushels of corn.

March 10, 2014 … Syngenta halts sales of A.D. in Canada.

ORGANIC FARMS in Canada:

For the year 2006

2,462 organic farms growing hay and field crops - mostly for export

916 organic farms grew fruit and vegetables

12,000 farms were not certified but were growing organic

It still only amounts to 2 percent of Canada’s 229,373 agricultural operations.

An Episode in the U.K.

A farm’s rape/corn crop was contaminated with GM seed.

(GM Seed has patent infringement rights)

So, the farmer destroyed his crop with Paraquat. Prior to the use of this chemical all local beekeepers were notified to take precautions. They still suffered severe effects.

Paraquat is a most persistent and most toxic chemical. It is non-selective and wipes a field clean, robbing the plants of moisture.

Directions for use = one pound per acre.

Paraquat’s half life on fields is greater than 1000 days – more like 16 months to 13 years. It binds to soil particles and organic matter and is therefore transported by run-off. In water its half life is 23 weeks.

UV can degrade it to a less toxic compound.

Paraquat is in Ortho Weed and Spot Killer. It is a restricted use pesticide.

Canada gave Paraquat full regulation in 2006. Canada uses about 50,000 Kg per year.

E.U. forbid the use of Paraquat  in no-till agriculture in 2007.

Some Paraquat Info from the Ex TENSION Toxicology Network  1996 EX TOXNET

GM Corn is insect resistant and herbicide tolerant.

GM Canola is herbicide tolerant.

GM Soy is herbicide tolerant.

GM Sugar Beets  is herbicide tolerant.

Insect resistant Trait is usually Bt. Pollen then becomes deadly to insects. Pollen drifts to nearby Milkweed, Monarch butterfly caterpillar food.

Bye, bye, Butterfly