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[Biodemocracy] Organic Bytes #29 - Food and Consumer News
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Mar 10, 2004, 12:11:39 AM3/10/04
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In article <c2loc1$2rfo$1...@pencil.math.missouri.edu>,
biodem...@lists.organicconsumers.org says...
>
>ORGANIC BYTES #29
>Food and Consumer News Tidbits with an Edge!
>3/9/2004 By Organic Consumers Association
>
>Please forward this publication to family and friends, place it on
>websites, print it, and post it. Knowledge is power!
>
>---------------------------------
>
>QUOTE OF THE WEEK
>
>"These multi-billion dollar corporations underestimated the savvy and
>determination of Mendocino County voters," said Els Cooperrider of
>Ukiah, California, a retired medical scientist and Ukiah business owner
>who helped spearhead the citizen-led initiative. "This is just the
>beginning of the revolution," she said. "We're the first county in the
>U.S. to prohibit the growing of genetically altered crops and animals --
>but we won't be the last." Press Release March 3, 2004 by citizen group
>GMO Free Mendocino
>
>---------------------------------
>
>MISSION ACCOMPLISHED - MENDOCINO COUNTY BANS GE CROPS!
>It's official! Mendocino County (CA) has passed a ballot initiative
>making it the first county in the U.S. to ban genetically engineered
>crops and animals. This is an important and precedent-setting victory
>for farmers and consumers, particularly given the fact that corporate
>agribusiness and the biotech industry spent over $620,000 attempting to
>convince citizens to vote against the referendum (grassroots supporters
>of the referendum had only $100,000 to work with, including $11,500
>from the Organic Consumers Association). Organic and non-GMO farmers in
>Mendocino say the new law will help protect their crops from potential
>contamination from neighboring GE fields. The success of the initiative
>is already proving to be highly contagious. Humboldt County (CA) claims
>it's next in line for passing a similar referendum, while farmers in the
>U.S. Midwest see it as evidence that they may be able to resist the
>release of Monsanto's new GE wheat. Grassroots activists across
>California and the nation will be meeting in San Francisco this weekend
>to discuss launching similar initiatives. Similarly Prince Edward Island
>in Canada is now considering becoming a "GMO Free Zone." Meanwhile, the
>biotech industry has made it clear that it will do its best to snuff out
>Mendocino's GE ban with state legislative or legal action. Informed
>sources have told the OCA that the California Farm Bureau and the Gallo
>wine company are spearheading an effort to introduce a bill in the
>California Senate that will nullify the Mendocino GMO ban and make it
>illegal for other California counties to pass similar laws. OCA and its
>allies are planning a major campaign to stop or defeat this legislation.
>Stay tuned to Organic Bytes and the OCA website for forthcoming news on
>this front...
>http://www.organicconsumers.org/monsanto/mendocino030804.cfm
>
>---------------------------------
>
>HYDROSOL SCHEME RUNNING OUT OF STEAM
>It's been a week full of victories! One year after the Organic Consumers
>Association (OCA) launched the Coming Clean Campaign to establish strong
>labeling standards for "organic" cosmetics, the Organic Trade
>Association's Personal Care Task Force (PCTF) rejected a scheme of
>counting ordinary water as "organic" in body care products. In a 13 to 2
>vote on Saturday (3/6) at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim,
>California, the task force of natural body care companies condemned the
>practice of counting as "organic" water added during the steaming of
>botanicals to make hydrosol water extracts. The task force
>subsequently voted 10 to 5 to not count any amount of hydrosol water
>extracts as organic until the minority percentage of water from plant
>material versus added from steam can be determined. The OCA will
>continue to drive this campaign ahead, until meaningful organic
>standards are established for body care products.
>http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/
>
>---------------------------------
>
>MAD COW UPDATE: U.S. GOVERNMENT UNDER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
>A criminal investigation is underway to determine whether the U.S.
>Government falsified documents pertaining to the recent case of Mad Cow
>Disease in Washington. Specifically, the Department of Agriculture
>reported that the beef that tested positive for the disease came from a
>"downer" cow (a cow too ill to walk). Three key eye-witnesses at the
>slaughterhouse argue otherwise, saying the cow was walking and appeared
>to be healthy. The U.S. Government used the potentially altered
>documents to assuage concerns that cattle are not tested sufficiently
>for this deadly disease in the U.S.
>http://www.organicconsumers.org/madcow/falsify030404.cfm
>
>---------------------------------
>
>STRAWBERRIES, TOMATOES AND THE OZONE HOLE
>When the hole in the ozone layer and its causes were confirmed in the
>1980s, nations around the world banded together to create one of the
>most significant international environmental treaties in history. The
>Montreal Protocol of 1987 was a global agreement to phase out the
>production and use of chemicals that cause the depletion of the ozone
>layer. Now George W. Bush has shocked the world (once again) by
>threatening to pull out of this landmark treaty. Bush claims the U.S.
>strawberry and tomato agriculture industry should be able to continue
>using the pesticide methyl bromide, the most dangerous ozone depleting
>chemical in use. Interestingly enough, the majority of growers who would
>benefit from this violation of international treaty are situated in
>California and Florida, critical states in the coming election.
>http://www.organicconsumers.org/corp/ozone112403.cfm
>
>---------------------------------
>
>QUICK RELATED FACTS
>-The Environmental Protection Agency classifies methyl bromide in the
>most deadly category of substances (Category I), due to its ability to
>cause neurological damage, reproductive harm, and fatal poisonings.
>
>-Organic strawberry growers use a mix of safe alternatives, including
>biological control, crop rotation, and pest-resistant root stocks, to
>produce strawberries without the need for methyl bromide.
>
>---------------------------------
>
>INTERNATIONAL GE LABELING TREATY CONFIRMED
>An international biosafety treaty has now been finalized in Malaysia,
>where 87 countries from around the world have successfully negotiated a
>protocol that establishes labeling and documentation regulations
>regarding imports/exports of genetically modified organisms. Under the
>new system, any international shipment containing genetically engineered
>ingredients intended for food, feed or processing must be labeled as
>such. Despite consensus between the attending nations, President Bush
>has refused to sign the agreement.
>http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/biosafety-pact.cfm
>
>---------------------------------
>
>NEW STUDY INDICATES HEALTH HAZARDS OF GMOs
>New scientific research has revealed some disturbing health implications
>related to genetically modified foods. The viral promoter used in GE
>crops to "turn on" certain genes has been found in the tissue of test
>rats. The biotech industry has consistently claimed this is impossible.
>According to Dr Terje Traavik, the study's results indicate that these
>same promoters could switch on any number of viruses that normally lay
>dormant within our own DNA and/or change the activity and structure of
>chromosomes, creating the potential for inducing cancer and/or metabolic
>changes. http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/studies030404.cfm
>
>---------------------------------
>
>TAKE ACTION
>The Department of Agriculture is currently accepting public comments
>regarding the agency's plan to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
>for the introduction of genetically modified organisms. This is a great
>opportunity for consumers to share their concerns about the spread of GE
>crops. To send an email message to the USDA, go here:
>http://www.saveorganicfood.org/usdaalert.php
>
>---------------------------------
>
>WE NEED TO TALK
>Interested in sharing your thoughts and ideas with thousands of other
>like-minded folks locally and around the world? Register free for OCA's
>new online web forum and chat center. The OCA website has been getting
>4-6 million hits every month, so we decided it's time to open up the
>communication channels and let everyone share their ideas, post
>articles, comment on related issues, and come together with others who
>share your concerns. Start talking with others in the organic consumers
>community right now! http://www.organicconsumers.org/chat/index.php If
>you are interested in being a moderator of one of these forums, please
>contact Cr...@OrganicConsumers.org
>
>---------------------------------
>
>Help others learn about food safety, organics, and related topics. Place
>a link on YOUR website to http://OrganicConsumers.org Banners for your
>use http://OrganicConsumers.org/logos.htm
>
>-------------------------------
>
>NOTE TO CO-OP AND NATURAL FOOD STORE SUBSCRIBERS:
>Organic Bytes is a great tool for keeping your staff and customers up to
>date on the latest issues. Feel free to forward this email to your staff
>and print for posting on bulletin boards and staff break tables. You are
>also welcome to use this material for your newsletters. There's an
>attractive print-friendly PDF version of this available for free
>download at http://www.organicconsumers.org/organicbytes.htm
>
>---------------------------------
>
>To subscribe to Organic Bytes, send an email to:
>biodemocra...@lists.organicconsumers.org with the word
>"subscribe" in subject. To unsubscribe to Organic Bytes, send an email
>to: biodemocra...@lists.organicconsumers.org with the word
>"unsubscribe" in subject.
>
>---------------------------------
>
>ORGANIC BYTES is a publication of:
>ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION 6101 Cliff Estate Road Little Marais, MN
>55614 Phone: (218) 226-4164 Fax: (218) 353-7652
>
>---------------------------------
>
>For additional daily environmental and political news, visit:
>http://www.ens-newswire.com http://www.planetsave.com
>
>---------------------------------
>
>_______________________________________________
>Biodemocracy mailing list
>Biodem...@lists.organicconsumers.org
>http://lists.organicconsumers.org/listinfo/biodemocracy
biodem...@lists.organicconsumers.org says...
>
>ORGANIC BYTES #29
>Food and Consumer News Tidbits with an Edge!
>3/9/2004 By Organic Consumers Association
>
>Please forward this publication to family and friends, place it on
>websites, print it, and post it. Knowledge is power!
>
>---------------------------------
>
>QUOTE OF THE WEEK
>
>"These multi-billion dollar corporations underestimated the savvy and
>determination of Mendocino County voters," said Els Cooperrider of
>Ukiah, California, a retired medical scientist and Ukiah business owner
>who helped spearhead the citizen-led initiative. "This is just the
>beginning of the revolution," she said. "We're the first county in the
>U.S. to prohibit the growing of genetically altered crops and animals --
>but we won't be the last." Press Release March 3, 2004 by citizen group
>GMO Free Mendocino
>
>---------------------------------
>
>MISSION ACCOMPLISHED - MENDOCINO COUNTY BANS GE CROPS!
>It's official! Mendocino County (CA) has passed a ballot initiative
>making it the first county in the U.S. to ban genetically engineered
>crops and animals. This is an important and precedent-setting victory
>for farmers and consumers, particularly given the fact that corporate
>agribusiness and the biotech industry spent over $620,000 attempting to
>convince citizens to vote against the referendum (grassroots supporters
>of the referendum had only $100,000 to work with, including $11,500
>from the Organic Consumers Association). Organic and non-GMO farmers in
>Mendocino say the new law will help protect their crops from potential
>contamination from neighboring GE fields. The success of the initiative
>is already proving to be highly contagious. Humboldt County (CA) claims
>it's next in line for passing a similar referendum, while farmers in the
>U.S. Midwest see it as evidence that they may be able to resist the
>release of Monsanto's new GE wheat. Grassroots activists across
>California and the nation will be meeting in San Francisco this weekend
>to discuss launching similar initiatives. Similarly Prince Edward Island
>in Canada is now considering becoming a "GMO Free Zone." Meanwhile, the
>biotech industry has made it clear that it will do its best to snuff out
>Mendocino's GE ban with state legislative or legal action. Informed
>sources have told the OCA that the California Farm Bureau and the Gallo
>wine company are spearheading an effort to introduce a bill in the
>California Senate that will nullify the Mendocino GMO ban and make it
>illegal for other California counties to pass similar laws. OCA and its
>allies are planning a major campaign to stop or defeat this legislation.
>Stay tuned to Organic Bytes and the OCA website for forthcoming news on
>this front...
>http://www.organicconsumers.org/monsanto/mendocino030804.cfm
>
>---------------------------------
>
>HYDROSOL SCHEME RUNNING OUT OF STEAM
>It's been a week full of victories! One year after the Organic Consumers
>Association (OCA) launched the Coming Clean Campaign to establish strong
>labeling standards for "organic" cosmetics, the Organic Trade
>Association's Personal Care Task Force (PCTF) rejected a scheme of
>counting ordinary water as "organic" in body care products. In a 13 to 2
>vote on Saturday (3/6) at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim,
>California, the task force of natural body care companies condemned the
>practice of counting as "organic" water added during the steaming of
>botanicals to make hydrosol water extracts. The task force
>subsequently voted 10 to 5 to not count any amount of hydrosol water
>extracts as organic until the minority percentage of water from plant
>material versus added from steam can be determined. The OCA will
>continue to drive this campaign ahead, until meaningful organic
>standards are established for body care products.
>http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/
>
>---------------------------------
>
>MAD COW UPDATE: U.S. GOVERNMENT UNDER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
>A criminal investigation is underway to determine whether the U.S.
>Government falsified documents pertaining to the recent case of Mad Cow
>Disease in Washington. Specifically, the Department of Agriculture
>reported that the beef that tested positive for the disease came from a
>"downer" cow (a cow too ill to walk). Three key eye-witnesses at the
>slaughterhouse argue otherwise, saying the cow was walking and appeared
>to be healthy. The U.S. Government used the potentially altered
>documents to assuage concerns that cattle are not tested sufficiently
>for this deadly disease in the U.S.
>http://www.organicconsumers.org/madcow/falsify030404.cfm
>
>---------------------------------
>
>STRAWBERRIES, TOMATOES AND THE OZONE HOLE
>When the hole in the ozone layer and its causes were confirmed in the
>1980s, nations around the world banded together to create one of the
>most significant international environmental treaties in history. The
>Montreal Protocol of 1987 was a global agreement to phase out the
>production and use of chemicals that cause the depletion of the ozone
>layer. Now George W. Bush has shocked the world (once again) by
>threatening to pull out of this landmark treaty. Bush claims the U.S.
>strawberry and tomato agriculture industry should be able to continue
>using the pesticide methyl bromide, the most dangerous ozone depleting
>chemical in use. Interestingly enough, the majority of growers who would
>benefit from this violation of international treaty are situated in
>California and Florida, critical states in the coming election.
>http://www.organicconsumers.org/corp/ozone112403.cfm
>
>---------------------------------
>
>QUICK RELATED FACTS
>-The Environmental Protection Agency classifies methyl bromide in the
>most deadly category of substances (Category I), due to its ability to
>cause neurological damage, reproductive harm, and fatal poisonings.
>
>-Organic strawberry growers use a mix of safe alternatives, including
>biological control, crop rotation, and pest-resistant root stocks, to
>produce strawberries without the need for methyl bromide.
>
>---------------------------------
>
>INTERNATIONAL GE LABELING TREATY CONFIRMED
>An international biosafety treaty has now been finalized in Malaysia,
>where 87 countries from around the world have successfully negotiated a
>protocol that establishes labeling and documentation regulations
>regarding imports/exports of genetically modified organisms. Under the
>new system, any international shipment containing genetically engineered
>ingredients intended for food, feed or processing must be labeled as
>such. Despite consensus between the attending nations, President Bush
>has refused to sign the agreement.
>http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/biosafety-pact.cfm
>
>---------------------------------
>
>NEW STUDY INDICATES HEALTH HAZARDS OF GMOs
>New scientific research has revealed some disturbing health implications
>related to genetically modified foods. The viral promoter used in GE
>crops to "turn on" certain genes has been found in the tissue of test
>rats. The biotech industry has consistently claimed this is impossible.
>According to Dr Terje Traavik, the study's results indicate that these
>same promoters could switch on any number of viruses that normally lay
>dormant within our own DNA and/or change the activity and structure of
>chromosomes, creating the potential for inducing cancer and/or metabolic
>changes. http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/studies030404.cfm
>
>---------------------------------
>
>TAKE ACTION
>The Department of Agriculture is currently accepting public comments
>regarding the agency's plan to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
>for the introduction of genetically modified organisms. This is a great
>opportunity for consumers to share their concerns about the spread of GE
>crops. To send an email message to the USDA, go here:
>http://www.saveorganicfood.org/usdaalert.php
>
>---------------------------------
>
>WE NEED TO TALK
>Interested in sharing your thoughts and ideas with thousands of other
>like-minded folks locally and around the world? Register free for OCA's
>new online web forum and chat center. The OCA website has been getting
>4-6 million hits every month, so we decided it's time to open up the
>communication channels and let everyone share their ideas, post
>articles, comment on related issues, and come together with others who
>share your concerns. Start talking with others in the organic consumers
>community right now! http://www.organicconsumers.org/chat/index.php If
>you are interested in being a moderator of one of these forums, please
>contact Cr...@OrganicConsumers.org
>
>---------------------------------
>
>Help others learn about food safety, organics, and related topics. Place
>a link on YOUR website to http://OrganicConsumers.org Banners for your
>use http://OrganicConsumers.org/logos.htm
>
>-------------------------------
>
>NOTE TO CO-OP AND NATURAL FOOD STORE SUBSCRIBERS:
>Organic Bytes is a great tool for keeping your staff and customers up to
>date on the latest issues. Feel free to forward this email to your staff
>and print for posting on bulletin boards and staff break tables. You are
>also welcome to use this material for your newsletters. There's an
>attractive print-friendly PDF version of this available for free
>download at http://www.organicconsumers.org/organicbytes.htm
>
>---------------------------------
>
>To subscribe to Organic Bytes, send an email to:
>biodemocra...@lists.organicconsumers.org with the word
>"subscribe" in subject. To unsubscribe to Organic Bytes, send an email
>to: biodemocra...@lists.organicconsumers.org with the word
>"unsubscribe" in subject.
>
>---------------------------------
>
>ORGANIC BYTES is a publication of:
>ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION 6101 Cliff Estate Road Little Marais, MN
>55614 Phone: (218) 226-4164 Fax: (218) 353-7652
>
>---------------------------------
>
>For additional daily environmental and political news, visit:
>http://www.ens-newswire.com http://www.planetsave.com
>
>---------------------------------
>
>_______________________________________________
>Biodemocracy mailing list
>Biodem...@lists.organicconsumers.org
>http://lists.organicconsumers.org/listinfo/biodemocracy
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