Monsanto Part 1 | Questions and Answers

Monsanto Part 1 – Q & A

A while back we asked our Facebook readers and newsletter subscribers if they had the opportunity to ask Monsanto any question, what would it be? We brought your questions to Monsanto where their rep David Stoltzfus answered them. Read all questions and answers below.

A Cook Not Mad: Why create sterile seeds?
 
David Stoltzfus : The sterile seed concept is a false rumour. Monsanto has never developed a biotech trait that resulted in sterile seeds. Following are several links to information on our web site if you’d like to learn more:
· The October 1999 “Open Letter” from then-Monsanto CEO Robert Shapiro to the Rockefeller Foundation in which we made our very public commitment
· Background on “Terminator” seeds.

ACNM: Is RoundUp subject to independent testing?
 
DS: Yes, absolutely! Roundup and its active ingredient glyphosate, like all crop protection products, is thoroughly tested and reviewed by industry scientists, regulatory bodies and independent orthird-party scientists. More information can be found
at: http://www.monsanto.com/newsviews/pages/safety-of-crop-protection-products.aspx 

ACNM: Would Monsanto take whatever action is recommended by an independent panel for the best interest of human health?
 
DS:  The biotech products that Monsanto and other seed companies produce are required to undergo a thorough and extensive examination before it is
approved for human consumption by experts at the FDA, USDA and/or EPA. As biotech products are the most rigorously tested and scrutinized foods ever produced, the comprehensive approval process typically takes at a minimum 10 years. If there is any evidence of allergenicity, toxicity, or harm to health, the approval is denied. Monsanto is successful when farmers and their customers are successful. Our work to provide tools for farmers to produce more food in a sustainable way is open to input and dialogue from all stakeholders, and we actively seek it. Please see more about what we are doing at: http://discover.monsanto.com/discover-us/
 
ACNM: Why is Monsanto against GMO labelling? http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50865/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=1283989

DS: Monsanto is not against labeling, in fact we support the guidelines for voluntary labeling which already exist at the federal level. We support truthful and accurate voluntary labeling to differentiate products for consumer’s preference. There are thousands of products already labeled under current FDA rules as certified organic or non-GM. General Mills’ decision to label its original Cheerios and the Non-GMO Project are two examples of how voluntary labeling
can provide information to those consumers who want it. For more information on this topic, please see the following page: http://www.monsanto.com/newsviews/pages/food-labeling.aspx

ACNM: What crops are you testing on Maui?
 
DS: All of the seeds that are grown on Maui have already been approved for planting by the US Government. There is no “testing” – we are simply cross breeding seed corn to produce improved lines that will be sold to farmers throughout the world. To put it simply, we grow corn for seed. Most of the seed that we produce will be planted on the mainland or other corn-growing regions of the world where the crop will be evaluated for suitability in that environment. Some of the seed that we produce will be replanted here on Maui as we continue the breeding process and select the best seeds and plants.
 
ACNM: Does Monsanto have any plans to test crops that already grow on Maui (for example papaya)?
 
DS: We do not plan to produce fruit or vegetable seeds on Maui. Monsanto has been growing corn on Maui for over 45 years. During that time, agriculture on Maui has changed quite dramatically, but the focus for our Maui site will continue to be on corn.
 
ACNM: Monsanto has mentioned that they believe pesticides are one of the reasons for bee die-offs, that said, do you think RoundUp has affected the bee population?
 
DS: It is highly unlikely that Roundup is to blame for Colony Collapse Disorder. Roundup is an herbicide that acts specifically on plants. It has been studied extensively for its effects on the environment, insects, mammals, soils, etc. and is commonly viewed as one of the most benign pesticides on the market.  According to the USDA, there are many causes that compromise bee health, including pathogens or diseases, poor nutrition and a small type of beetle which
nests in bee hives and whose larva feeds upon developing bees. For more information, here’s an informative video from the State of Hawaii about
saving bees in Hawaii: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eacyutRdejQ  

R. Ricker of the University of Montana (Colony Collapse Disorder: The Economic Consequences of Bee Disease) has stated “while the exact causes of CCE are unknown, it is clear that there are many factors, including Varroa destructor mites, inadequate nutrition and other pests and viruses, which contribute to decreased colony health. Honey bees and other pollinators are critical for a lot of agriculture. There are numerous theories for the reduction in colonies, with the leading candidates being diseases and overall health. Some pesticides have also been studied for their possible impact on bee populations. We have an interest in providing solutions for honey-bee problems, and are developing tools to improve honey bee health. We have partnered with the US Beekeeping industry to help to find solutions to CCD. Please see more on the work we are doing here: http://monsantoblog.com/2014/06/19/10-questions-about-honey-bees-2/

ACNM: We recently read on permaculture.co.uk that Monsanto is buying heirloom seeds and companies, and also buying trademarks to a number of heirloom seeds. Is there any validity to these statements? If so, what is the purpose of buying up these companies? http://www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/monsanto-buys-heirloom-seed-suppliers

DS: This is another false myth about Monsanto. Our goal is to provide tools to farmers that allow them to be successful. This includes breeding better crops through modern methods and bringing them to market. We have brands that represent our corn, cotton, soy, canola, wheat, and vegetable product lines throughout the world. A description of our vegetable business is here: http://www.monsanto.com/products/pages/vegetable-seeds.aspx                                   

The permaculture article you reference makes many claims that are not true, and seems to represent a type of fear-based marketing that some entities employ.

ACNM: What is Monsanto’s response to the study that came out last month showing evidence that Monsanto corn can cause liver and kidney damage as well as severe hormonal disruption?
 
DS: This is another false myth that has been spread to create fear. There is absolutely no scientific, peer-reviewed paper that supports these misleading allegations. An independent review of the recently republished paper that you are referencing can be found here:
http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/glp-articles/republished-retracted-seralini-corn-rat-study-faces-harsh-criticism-from-scientists/

ACNM: What would Monsanto offer, in compensation (not just monetary, but clean-up etc), if down the road we have clear evidence that their science in wrong?
 
DS: There is no reason to speculate that the science supporting biotech products is wrong. Once again, biotech products are the most scrutinized and tested food ever produced. There is overwhelming approval of the safety and health of biotech products, not only by the USDA, FDA & EPA, but also worldwide by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, The American Medical Association, World Health Organization, the National Academy of Sciences, the European Commission, and dozens of regulatory authorities in countries around the world. Safety and technical information concerning Monsanto’s products can be found here: http://www.monsanto.com/products/pages/safety-technical-information.aspx

ACNM: Is there a big employee turn over? What types of people work for Monsanto?
 
DS: Employee turnover at Monsanto is low. Most of our employees have been working here for years. In fact, for some residents, there are multiple generations of families who are happily working at Monsanto, and our company has been recognized numerous times for being a good employer and a good corporate citizen. Our employees are extraordinary individuals working together to address one the biggest challenges that we all have for the future. Learn more about
who we are and our commitments here: http://www.monsanto.com/whoweare/pages/default.aspx 

ACNM: How do you view Monsanto and the work that they do?
 
DS: Monsanto’s important work with biotechnology has helped farmers grow more food while reducing the environmental impact of farming. Most importantly, the foods that are produced with biotech crops have a thoroughly tested and proven safety record – the numbers below are quite convincing:
·        3.95 billion acres of farmland used for biotech crops since 1998
·        1,800+ peer reviewed studies support that biotech crops are just as safe as any other crops
·        63 countries where biotech crops have been found safe for growing and import
·        30 years that biotech crops have been researched and developed
·        13 years on average to develop and test biotech seeds before they are grown commercially in the US
·        ALL WITH ZERO FOOD SAFETY ISSUES

How do you view Monsanto and the work that they do?