That's a whole lot of assholes.
Photo: Willow
The first case of GM alfalfa contamination is now being investigated in Washington state in the U.S. after a farmer had his alfalfa crop rejected for export because it (unknown to him) contained genetically modified material.
This is the first case of what will be many.
Monsanto's Roundup Ready GM alfalfa is the first genetically modified feral perennial ever planted in North America. Pollinated by insects and the wind, this highly tenacious plant used for livestock feed and organic fertilizer, among other things, spreads like a weed. In fact, if you do not want alfalfa in your field, it is extremely difficult to eradicate.
As seen in the initial case in Washington state, genetically modified alfalfa will inevitably cross-pollinate and contaminate the natural crop.
Currently, 93% of Canada's alfalfa crop is unsprayed. This means, farmers and ranchers do not have to pay thousands of dollars to apply chemical herbicide or pesticide to their alfalfa crops. These crops are natural, non-genetically modified, and unsprayed.
Monsanto would like to change that.
There are ongoing plans to introduce genetically modified alfalfa in Ontario and Quebec in order to set up an export hay market (talk about unsustainable). This hay would be sold to countries that desire 100% weed-free hay and are willing to purchase genetically modified, heavily chemically-sprayed alfalfa in order to achieve that.
Since Canada's federal Conservatives are as pro-GMO as you can get, the next step in appealing to our so-called leaders is at the provincial level. Municipal governments in British Columbia have passed laws making their areas GMO-free, and there is no reason provinces cannot do the same.
I wrote a letter recently to my home province's Agriculture Minister, Lyle Stewart, appealing for a moratorium on the sale, planting, and growth of genetically modified alfalfa within the province's borders.
What I got back was a very robotic and ill-informed letter from a very robotic and ill-informed Lyle Stewart of the Saskatchewan Party (AKA provincial Conservatives).
In the letter that he more than likely did not see or write, our boy Lyle passed the buck to the Federal government and denied there are any concerns over GM alfalfa at all.
"Lyle" went on to say: "The Government of Saskatchewan takes a science-based approach to promoting research, commercialization, and marketing of all aspects of agricultural biotechnology. We are committed to working with the industry to ensure farmers and ranchers have the latest advancements in agronomic and production tools available to help them remain competitive."
In other words, the Government of Saskatchewan is pro-GMO and (falsely) believes farmers and ranchers need GM alfalfa in order to "stay competitive."
Now, y'all, if Lyle knew his ass from page eight on this subject he'd know that farmers and ranchers in Western Canada - yes, including in his own province - have already rejected GM alfalfa wholeheartedly.
He would know there is actually zero benefit to going from an unsprayed, natural crop to a heavily chemically-sprayed GMO crop that costs thousands of dollars more to produce. And farmers and ranchers know this. Anyone with common sense does.
Our boy Lyle would also know that, rather than making farmers and ranchers "more competitive," the unintentional spread of GM alfalfa will actually destroy export crops to any country that does not allow GMOs within its borders. This is the entire European Union, which happens to be a big importer of Canadian alfalfa.
He also touts the science. But what science would that be, Lyle? The Seralini study showing increased incidences of cancer, organ damage, and premature death in lab rats fed GM corn and glyphosate, the primary ingredient in the chemical herbicide Roundup?
Or would it be the suckling pig study that found stomach inflammation and fertility damage related to diets of GM corn and soy?
Or is it the study that found Roundup toxic to dairy cattle?
What, exactly, is the science you're using to support your pro-GMO claims, here, Lyle?
Because the science I see says GMOs cause health damage in animals, and what causes health damage in animals will certainly cause health damage in human beings who eat animals or animal products.
For the fact that the provincial Agriculture Minister in prime livestock country, Saskatchewan, is ill-informed on the issue of genetically modified alfalfa, for the fact that he is not listening to the farmers and ranchers in his own province, and for the fact that he is implementing policy that puts the entire food supply at risk:
Lyle Stewart is Willow's Web Astrology's Douche of the Day!
Congratulations, Lyle. It isn't just any old douche who makes it to such a high level of douchery!
Get your "Stop GM Alfalfa" bumper sticker from Willow: $5 each or 5 for $22.
