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(NaturalNews) In what many believe to be an attempt to backdoor itsproducts into a new market, Monsanto has donated hundreds of tonsof patented hybrid seeds, fertilizers and pesticides to earthquakestricken Haiti. Initially, Monsanto planned to donate GMO "Roundupready" seeds, but that offer was rejected by Haiti's Ministry ofAgriculture. Though Monsanto termed their donation an effort tohelp provide earthquake relief, Monsanto's "generosity" is beingmet with skepticism and outright rejection. Last month, 10,000 farmers marched in protest against Monsanto anda group of small farmers burned a symbolic quantity of hybrid cornseed in the central square of the agricultural town of Hinche. A200,000-member national coalition is encouraging Haiti farmers toburn all Monsanto seeds already distributed, and has called on thegovernment to reject additional shipments. Peasant leader Chavannes Jean-Baptiste told IPS News: Farmers wantto preserve their traditional "organic agriculture that respectsthe environment and fights against its degradation. We defendnative seeds and the rights of peasants on their land."Jean-Batiste also said "Fighting hybrid and GMO seeds is criticalto save our diversity and our agriculture" and maintained that a"county has a right to define it own agricultural policies, to growfirst for the family and then for local market, to grow healthyfood in a way which respects the environment and Mother Earth." Another peasant farmer stated, "Seeds and water are the commonpatrimony of humanity." Global Research called Monsanto's initial donation of 475 tons ofhybrid seeds and chemicals a "new earthquake" and "deadly gift". The corn seeds Monsanto donated to Haiti have been treated with thefungicide Maxim XO, while the calypso tomato seeds were treatedwith Thiram. Thiram is a highly toxic chemical which the EPAexamined and deemed to be so dangerous that agricultural workersare now mandated to wear protective clothing when handling them. Multinational seed giant Monsanto is known around the world for itsaggressive GMO and hybrid policies. It is also known forintimidating and suing farmers and small agricultural companies itclaims have violated its contracts and patents, including farmerswhose fields have been contaminated by pollen from adjacentgenetically engineered crops or who have had voluntary seed sproutfrom a previous year's crop. By 2007 Monsanto had already collectedover $21.5 million in judgments in the U.S. alone. Monsanto is also infamously known for the deaths and healthproblems resulting from its highly toxic herbicide product AgentOrange, which caused cancer in large numbers of U.S. Veterans. TheVietnamese government claims that 400,000 of their citizens died orwere disabled and 500,000 children were born with birth defects asa result of Agent Orange. While Monsanto is calling the seeds a donation, it isn't hard tosee how the company will benefit by getting farmers hooked on aneed that only it can supply, as it has done elsewhere around theworld - most notably in the U.S. and Canada. Once Monsantos seedsare introduced, they often also profit from sales of theirfertilizer, pesticides and herbicides, whose demand usuallyincreases in proportion to the use of its seeds. Seed company giants Monsanto, Syngenta, Dupont and Bayer controlmore than half of the world's seed patents. Monsanto has almost 650seed patents, most of which are for cotton, corn, and soy. Thecompany also owns almost 30 percent of the share of all the world'sbiotechnology research and development. The world's largest confederation of farmers, Via Campesina, hascalled Monsanto one of the "principal enemies of peasantsustainable agriculture and food sovereignty for all peoples." Sources included: 2010/06/haitian-farmers-burn-monsanto-h... planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/whats-wrong-with-monsant... beverly-bell/haitian-farmers-commit-to_... en/index.php?option=com_content&view=arti.. About the author Tony Isaacs, is a natural health author, advocate and researcherwho hosts The Best Years in Life website for those who wish to avoid prescription drugs andmainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happierlives naturally. Mr. Isaacs is the author of books and articlesabout natural health, longevity and beating cancer including " Cancer's Natural Enemy " and is working on a major book project due to be published laterthis year. He is also a contributing author for the worldwideadvocacy group " S.A N.E.Vax. Inc " which endeavors to uncover the truth about HPV vaccine dangers. Mr. Isaacs is currently residing in scenic East Texas andfrequently commutes to the even more scenic Texas hill country nearAustin and San Antonio to give lectures and health seminars. Healso hosts the CureZone " Ask Tony Isaacs - featuring Luella May " forum as well as the Yahoo Health Group " Oleander Soup " and he serves as a consultant to the " Utopia Silver Supplement Company ". I am an expert from printed-circuitsboard.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Printed Circuit Board Fabrication , China Circuit Board Fabricators, High Frequency PCB,and more.
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