Keiser Report: Monsanto and the Seeds of Evil

Though this report is from January 2011, it’s good to hear an economist-comedian’s take on the diplomatic cable that revealed that the US State Dept. planned to retaliate against the EU for France’s ban on Monsanto’s genetically modified corn seeds. ~Ed.

Grounds for French ban on GMOs annulled by EU high court

By Rady Ananda

France cannot ban food and feed with genetically modified organisms based on the emergency safeguard clause it cited for its 4-year ban, ruled the Court of Justice of the European Union on September 8, without proof of a “clear and serious risk to human or animal health or the environment.” [1]

This comes on the heels of Tuesday’s high court ruling that all food products containing GMOs – whether intentional or not – must undergo an approval process.  GMO opponents applauded that tightening of restrictions, since it paves the way for damage claims by those whose crops or honey become genetically contaminated by neighboring GM fields.

Today’s ruling, however, counts as a win for Monsanto and the EU Commission in their ongoing power struggle to defeat independent sovereign rejection of GMOs on the precautionary principle – a far less stringent, but more scientifically sound standard that acknowledges the dangers of genetic manipulation.