24 May 2013 (17:19 UTC-07 Tango)/14 Rajab 1434/03 Khordad 1391/15 Ding-Si (4th month) 4711
Since 2011 there have been growing reports that farmers are returning to massive use of pesticides, because of new superbug insects. Those super insects have been created by the very GMO (genetically modified organism) crops meant to kill insects (in 2003 the U.S. EPA approved GMO on that very basis).
The latest report shows that Monsanto’s Bt Corn has actually created insects (like rootworms) that are now immune to GMO crops. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) recently reported that pesticide makers are seeing skyrocketing sales, as a result.
The WSJ also reported that years ago some corporations knew this would happen, and began taking over pesticide companies for the expected boom in bug spray sales. Other reports say the amount of pesticide use is higher than what the WSJ reported.
Of course Monsanto says they will create new GMO seeds.
In 2010, India halted the use of GMO crops. In 2012, India ordered testing of any GMO crop in a controlled environment before being approved. Here’s why: “I was shocked to find the three years of so-called research trials conducted by Mahyco Monsanto Biotech or MMB, a joint venture between Indian seed company Mahyco and Monsanto, as erroneous……I went on record to state that GM technology, promoted by MMB, was fraudulent.”-Devinder Sharma, agricultural scientist
One possible reason that India began to question the claims of Monsanto and other GM makers, is that during the years Indian farmers used GMO seeds, there was no increase in overall crop production! (increased crop production was one of the claims made by GMO companies: “generate higher crop yields with fewer inputs”–Biotechnology Industry Organization)
In Lebanon, the Consumer Protection Department of the Economy and Trade Ministry (CPDET) warned consumers that recent testing of fruits and vegetables are showing high rates of pesticides, including chemicals banned in Lebanon.
Officials are calling the free use of chemicals by local farmers chaotic: “In the last few months findings indicate that farmers have reverted to chaos….”-CPDET statement
CPDET officials say “The main reason was attributed to insects developing immunity…….unleashing a vicious and fearful cycle.”
For years there has been fear in Lebanon that GMO crops grown in nearby Europe, or in neighboring Israel, would eventually adversely affect Lebanese agriculture.
According to Israeli news media there are no laws regulating GMOs in Israel: “Agricultural products that underwent genetic engineering are sold in Israel without any marking to inform consumers……main function is to test foodstuffs slated for export to Europe.”-Haaretz
It’s possible that Lebanon’s agriculture industry has been invaded (through pollination) by GMOs from Israel’s unregulated industry.
The problem of cross pollination is one of the concerns for the European country Hungary. Hungary bans all GMOs. A week ago 404.6 hectares (1000 acres) of maize was burned, after it was discovered that GMO seeds somehow got in with regular corn seeds (many Hungarian farmers bought their seeds from international companies). The burning of the crop was done to prevent cross pollination. Investigations are revealing that somehow thousands of acres of other crops in Hungary could also be contaminated with GMOs.
But contrary to what some bloggers say, about the Europe Union not allowing GMO crops, the European Union does allow Bt corn/maize, and several EU members have expressed intentions to grow other GMO crops (Spain is the largest producer of GMO crops).
So it is very possible that the agriculture industry in Lebanon is dealing with superbugs created by GMOs in Europe and Israel, which of course means more pesticide use.
Then there’s the rapidly declining bird population in United Kingdom. Investigators blame increased pesticide use, and “changes in crop production” in Sussex. It’s reported that 60% of overall bird species have disappeared in the past ten years. Sussex is not listed as one of the English Counties that have banned GMOs.
Recently released studies in the United States back up the claims that GMOs do not decrease pesticide use and they do not increase crop yield!
In 2012 the Washington State University proved that the net effect of GMO crops is an increase in pesticide use, and other chemicals, not a decrease!
Now the University of Wisconsin says the gene splicing that goes into GMOs actually reduces crop yields! Researchers call it “yield drag”, meaning genetic engineering of crops reduces overall production. Their study (Commercialized transgenic traits, maize productivity and yield risk) shows that GMO crops tend to reduce environmental “yield risks” to the crops, but the overall yield output is also reduced.
What was that about GMOs saving humanity from starvation?
