PLANET IN PERIL

Ottawa continues to embrace the widespread use of Roundup on Canadian farms by letting corporate seduction trump scientific evidence. by Larry Powell A crop-duster sprays a GMO crop in western MB. A PinP photo. In its quest to dominate the planet's agricultural biotechnology sector, Monsanto's business model has produced significant collateral damage. Generations of farming families in South America, India and other robustly developing regions have been devastated by the US-based multinational’s product line, namely its flagship herbicide Roundup and the patented seeds that go with it.  In the 1970s, the company began genetically modifying canola, and they’ve since created their own patented versions of soybeans, corn, cotton and a range of other crops. The havoc wreaked by Monsanto’s remarkable growth in the interim includes widespread claims of pollution, illegal activity and damage to health and livelihoods, as well as a systematic effort to crush detr

The politicians are "no-shows" at a series of summer speaking events. by Larry Powell Organizers of a national speaking tour, designed to warn of the potential health impacts of genetically-engineered foods, had high hopes of winning the ear of governments when the tour arrived in Manitoba in July. The Co-ordinator for the "GE Foods and Health Cross-Canada Speakers Tour" in the province, Rose Stevens, personally sent e-mails to numerous Members of Parliament and MLAs in Manitoba. She invited them to attend  one of the seven events   held in the province that month.  Some sent regrets, without further explanation. Others said they had other commitments, without saying what they were. One said he was going to be out of the country for one of the dates, but didn't mention the others.   Several did not even respond.                                                                                                  Whatever their circumstance,   not one of t

Since the individual Minister at the heart of this story is back in his job after an absence of a dozen-or-so years, I feel it appropriate to re-post my blog story from 2014. After all it's now been well over a decade, not just a couple of years, since he made me the promise he never kept.  by Larry Powell   Manitoba's Minister of Agriculture, Ron Kostyshyn, (below), lies . Way back in September of 2012  (now more than 1 1 years ago) , Kostyshyn  promised he would read a peer-reviewed article I had co-authored.  Entitled   "Field of Nightmares,"  i t appeared in the well-respected Canadian journal "Alternatives - Canada's Environmental Voice." It documented much of the research which has been done, linking the popular herbicide "Roundup" to adverse effects on the health of livestock, wildlife, crops and even humans. It also placed the official position of the Government of Canada on the record, which was ,  it was "aware of the research, b

by Larry Powell Manitoba's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Ron Kostychyn, (r.)  is a liar. Way back in September of 2012  (over 1  1/2  years ago) , Kostyshyn   promised me he would read a peer-reviewed article I had written.  Entitled  "Field of Nightmares ."   It appeared in the well-respected Canadian journal "Alternatives - Canada's Environmental Voice." It documented much of the research which has been done, linking the popular herbicide "Roundup" to adverse effects on the health of  livestock, wildlife, crops and even  humans .  It also placed the official position of the Government of Canada on the record, which was , it was " aware of the research, but,  i t did not raise immediate risk concerns that would have triggered regulatory action.”

Wow -- 35,000 pledges already! Let's reach 45,000 and stop the take over of our food and our politics. Click  here  to pledge now. Dear Avaazers, One mega-company is gradually taking over our food supply -- putting the planet’s food future in serious danger.  But we can turn the tide on Monsanto and other companies that push through policies that prioritise their profits over the public good.  Pledge $4 now to help stop this dangerous domination of our politics and our food: One mega-company is gradually taking over our global food supply, poisoning our politics and putting the planet’s food future in serious danger.  To stop it we need to expose and break up Monsanto’s worldwide grip. Monsanto, the chemical giant that gave us poisons like Agent Orange and DDT, has a super-profitable racket.  Step 1: Develop pesticides and genetically modified (GM) seeds designed to resist them, patent the seeds, prohibit farmers from replanting their seeds year to year, then send u

EcoWatch A new study led by scientists from the Arctic University of Norway has detected “extreme levels” of Roundup, the agricultural herbicide manufactured by Monsanto, in genetically engineered (GE) soy. Full story here. Related:  Field of Nightmares  -  Ottawa continues to embrace the widespread use of Roundup on Canadian farms by letting corporate seduction trump scientific evidence.

The Guardian Producer Monsanto is facing thousands of lawsuits from customers who now have cancer. But not all experts are convinced of a link… Story here. --> But not all suspicions about Roundup are confined to its effects on humans.  What about food crops and livestock?  Watch my video, below and decide for yourself! RELATED:  " Field of Nightmares: Ottawa promotes the use of Roundup by Canadian Farmers, Letting Corporate Seduction Trump Scientific Evidence. "

(Reuters) - Heavy use of the world's most popular herbicide, Roundup, could be linked to a range of health problems and diseases, including Parkinson's, infertility and cancers, according to a new study. Details here. Related article: Field of Nightmares - Ottawa continues to embrace the use of Roundup on Canadian farms by letting corporate seduction trump scientific evidence. Crop-duster.  PLT photo

Agro Pages Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced that the Government of Canada is investing over $980,000 in research to help drive innovation and profitability in the canola industry. Story here. RELATED:  Field of Nightmares: Ottawa promotes the use of Roundup by Canadian Farmers, Letting Corporate Seduction Trump Scientific Evidence.

National Geographic Ducks in a nutrient-rich river. PLT photo If we don’t watch out, agriculture could destroy our planet. Here’s how to grow all the food we need with fewer chemicals. Details here. Related articles: Field of Nightmares -  Ottawa continues to embrace the widespread use of Roundup on Canadian farms by letting corporate seduction trump scientific evidence. Ditches of Destruction  -  Manitoba’s “war on weeds” comes complete with powerful herbicides, questionable spraying practices and collateral damage.

Manitoba Co-Operator PinP photo. Producers across the Prairies need to manage to minimize their risk of fusarium, a serious and costly disease of cereal crops. Story here. RELATED: "Field of Nightmares." 

Alternet A herbicide marketed by Monsanto is linked to a string of birth defects in pigs. Full story here. Related: " Field of Nightmares. Ottawa embraces the use of Roundup by Canadian farmers by letting corporate seduction trump scientific evidence."

Schindler's Pissed - Alternatives Journal - Canada's Environment Magazine.  Freshwater science pioneer David Schindler fires back about tar sands development, closing the Experimental Lakes Area, and why researchers should speak out. Full story here. Also in this issue, "Field of Nightmares," exposing the dark side of Roundup. 

TECH TIMES A "crop-duster" sprays a crop near Neepawa, Manitoba. PinP photo. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), reveals that the malathion insecticide and glyphosate herbicide are potentially carcinogenic. Story here. Related: " Field of Nightmares.  Ottawa continues to embrace the widespread use of Roundup on Canadian farms by letting corporate seduction trump scientific evidence."

the guardian PinP photo. Concerns remain chemical widely used in agriculture as a herbicide can kill all plants, algae, bacteria and fungi in a crop’s vicinity, affecting biodiversity. Story here. RELATED:   "Field of Nightmares - Ottawa continues to embrace the widespread use of Roundup on Canadian farms by letting corporate seduction trump scientific evidence."

The Western Producer A Manitoba honeybee hive.  PinP  photo. For years, environmentalists have said insecticides must be banned to protect bees. Now, some of those same environmental groups are saying that glyphosate must be banned to protect consumers from tainted honey. Story here. Please also read:  "Are Pesticide Regulators on the Take? Canadian Regulators Refuse to Protect Precious Pollinators From Known Toxins. Is Something Crooked Going on Here?" "Field of Nightmares. Ottawa continues to embrace the widespread use of Roundup on Canadian farms, by letting corporate seduction trump scientific evidence."

Organic Consumer's Association Hell hath no fury . . . like a mother whose child has been sickened by a toxin that’s almost impossible to avoid. Details here. Related: Field of Nightmares. Canada embraces the widespread use of Roundup by letting corporate seduction trump scientific evidence. PLT photo.

the guardian EU votes to reauthorise the pesticide, ending a bitterly fought battle that saw 1.3 million people sign a petition calling for a ban. STORY HERE. A Wikimedia Commons photo. RELATED:  Field of Nightmares  -  Ottawa continues to embrace the widespread use of Roundup on Canadian farms by letting corporate seduction trump scientific evidence.

San Francisco Chronicle Pesticides pervade the environment, from the air we breathe to the food we eat, and they are making children sicker than they were a generation ago, a new report warns. Details here. Please also read: "Field of Nightmares" exploring the dark side of Roundup.   Crop-duster in western Manitoba, CA. PLT photo  

Manitoba Co-Operator An "ag chem-maker's" potato, vegetable and fruit insecticide has been cleared to enter the cereal and soybean growers' market in Canada. Details here. Please also read: "Field of Nightmares. Ottawa embraces the widespread use of Roundup by letting corporate seduction trump scientific evidence." Bumblebees. PLT photo