NOTE: Many embedded links in original. For these and the text of the open letter (Opposition to Round Table on Responsible Soy), go to: http://www.i-sis.org.uk/roundTableOnResponsibleSoy.php
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Round Table on Responsible Soy a Green Wash
Dr. Mae-Wan Ho
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/roundTableOnResponsibleSoy.php
Key words: GM Soya, Deforestation, Landgrab, Glyphosate Poisoning”¦
Add your Signature to Protest Now!
The Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) was set up by the big environmental organisation WWF to provide "environment and social NGOs, finance and trade institutions, growers and retailers" the opportunity [1] "to jointly develop solutions leading to responsible soy production." It was proposed by WWF 2005 after the Basel Criteria for Responsible Soy Production failed to get big business support [2].
Among the members of RTRS is US-based biotech giant Monsanto, with a world monopoly on genetically modified (GM) Roundup Ready soybean and a near-monopoly on other seeds ([3] US Farmers Oppose 'Big Ag' in Anti-Trust Hearing, SiS 46).
Critics see RTRS as an attempt to green wash large scale GM soy production, exacerbating deforestation and eviction of indigenous peoples [4, 5] ('Land Rush' as Threats to Food Security Intensify, SiS 46), not to mention glyphosate poisoning of humans and wild life [6, 7] (Glyphosate Herbicide Could Cause Birth Defects, Ban Glyphosate Herbicides Now, SiS 43), crops and soil [8, 9] (Scientists Reveal Glyphosate Poisons Crops and Soil and Glyphosate Tolerant Crops Bring Diseases and Death, SiS 47).
RTRS lost much credibility when two major Brazilian organisations in the soya supply chain resigned: Aprosoja (representing 6 000 soy producers in Matto Grosso) left in May 2009 and ABIOVE (representing the Brazilian vegetable oil sector) left in March 2010. Both withdrew over the criteria relating to forest losses [2].
RTRS is expected to launch its “responsible soy” label after its conference 9-10 June 2010 in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Please add your signature to Opposition to Round Table on Responsible Soy Open Letter now
Send the name of your organisation (and country, if relevant) before Friday 4 June 4:00 pm European time, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
References
1. Round Table on Responsible Soy, A place for soy and forests, accessed 27 http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/agriculture/soybeans/conversionsoy/
round_table_on_responsible_soy.cfm
2. Open letter, growing opposition to Round Table on Responsible Soy. www.corporateeurope.org
3. Novotny E. US farmers oppose ‘Big Ag’ in anti-trust hearing. Science in Society 46, 30-31, 2010.
4. Soy and Agribusiness Expansion in Northwest Argentina Legalized deforestation and community resistance. CAPOMA, La Soja Mata, and Chaya Comunicación http://lasojamata.iskra.net/files/Soy_Expansion_Northwest_Argentina.pdf
5. Ho MW. ‘Land rush’ as threats to food security intensify. Science in Society 46, 42-45, 2010.
6. Ho MW. Glyphosate herbicide could cause birth defects. Science in Society 43, 36, 2009
7. Ho MW. Ban glyphosate herbicides now. Science in Society 43, 34, 2009.
8. Ho MW. Scientists reveal glyphosate poisons crops and soil. Science in Society 47 (to appear).
9. Ho MW. Glyphosate tolerant crops being diseases and death. Science in Society 47 (to appear).