FEED - November 2009
Contents
1. Department of Justice questions Monsanto about anticompetition
2. Farm runoff pollutes water supplies and costs taxpayers
3. Biotech companies suppress research on engineered crops
4. Antibiotics bill gathers momentum in Congress
1. Department of Justice questions Monsanto about anticompetition
Biotechnology giant Monsanto is being questioned by the Department of Justice following allegations by its rival, DuPont, that Monsanto engages in anticompetitive practices. Earlier this year, Monsanto sued DuPont over the patent rights to genetically engineered soybeans, and DuPont countersued Monsanto over its licensing agreements. Now the Department of Justice is collecting information from both companies to determine whether Monsanto's licensing agreements and control over smaller companies unfairly dominate the industry. The inquiries follow comments by the Department of Justice last August that it was concerned about competition in agriculture. Read more from Bloomberg, or read a New York Times editorial.
| "The commodity seed market is vital to the world's food supply. It should not be dominated by one or even a few corporations. We're eager to hear what the Justice Department turns up." ~ Margaret Mellon, Food and Environment Program Director |
2. Farm runoff pollutes water supplies and costs taxpayers
Runoff from land covered with slaughterhouse and livestock waste is polluting water supplies throughout the country. The overapplication of waste to farmland is a major cause of water pollution and is inadequately regulated by federal laws, according to The New York Times. A UCS analysis of the subsidies that prop up CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations) reveals how taxpayers fund this inefficient system through subsidies from federal programs and also shows some of the hidden costs of environmental damage and health problems caused by CAFOs. Read the report.
3. Biotech companies suppress research on engineered crops
Biotechnology companies are using "strong-arm tactics and close-fisted attitudes" to prevent independent scientists from conducting research on genetically engineered (GE) crops, according to Nature Biotechnology. Because companies have patent rights on these crop varieties, they are legally allowed to control their use, even for research. Companies have refused scientists' requests for seeds and have interfered with publication. In one case, DuPont/Pioneer forbade scientists from publishing their findings that ladybugs (beneficial insects) were killed by its GE corn in feeding trials. Subsequently the company gained regulatory approval to market a nearly identical corn variety—but it did not submit the data on the feeding trial that killed the ladybugs. Read the article (pdf).
| "The lack of a research exemption in the patent law makes it possible for companies to suppress research on their products. This, combined with the industry's overstated claims of benefits from GE crops, ultimately allows only the industry's view to prevail, leaving consumers in the dark about possible risks and unfulfilled benefits of GE crops." ~ Jane Rissler, Food and Environment Program Senior Scientist and Deputy Director |
4. Antibiotics bill gathers momentum in Congress
In a recent speech on the House of Representatives floor, Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY) encouraged House members to support the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA). The bill would end the use of antibiotics in the feed and water of livestock and poultry that are not sick, a practice that leads to antibiotic-resistant diseases in humans. Congresswoman Slaughter cited Denmark's successful ban on the nontherapeutic use of antibiotics as proof that a U.S. ban would work. Representative Slaughter and 35 other representatives also sent a letter to President Obama (pdf), urging him to support PAMTA and to direct the Food and Drug Administration to do its part to end nontherapeutic uses of antibiotics in livestock. To date, PAMTA has more than 70 cosponsors in the House. Ask your members of Congress to cosponsor PAMTA!
| "The tireless efforts of Representative Slaughter are paying off, building momentum in Congress to curtail unnecessary antibiotic uses in animal agriculture that harm human health. We applaud leaders in Congress for continuing to push for PAMTA's passage." ~ Margaret Mellon, Food & Environment Program Director |
