Monsanto Trial: Exposed Ecocide

The Agrochemical corporate giant Monsanto, known primarily for its GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) farming manipulation, has been reported as scheduled to being dragged in front of the Netherland’s Hague court for crimes against humanity next October.

It has also been reported as a mock trial with, if found guilty, no repercussions whatsoever.

Although this trial may only amount to a dog and pony show, it will attempt to describe the long list of alleged devastations Monsanto has implemented on the earth and its global food chain.

This will be a unique opportunity to display the exposed ecocide of yet another corporate machine. It is a trial not for the party under investigation, but rather the education of the sleeping masses letting these corporations dumb them down, take their money, threaten their health and destroy their land.

Ecocide

The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes ecocide as,

“the destruction of large areas of the natural environment especially as a result of deliberate human action”

The trial will consist of ecocide allegations involving three of Monsanto’s products which are:

• Roundup – An herbicide
• Roundup Ready Seeds – Genetically modified seeds which may be responsible for financial pressure imposed upon farmers as well as extensive environmental damage.
• Agent Orange – This was a herbicide used during the Vietnam War dropped from the air to kill all vegetation so the enemy could not hide. It caused a devastating environmental impact as well as elongated terminal illness to the thousands of soldiers it was dropped on. Monsanto was a producer of the key chemical component in this herbicide.

The Accusations

Scores of environmental groups have banned together to bring Monsanto to trial.

Natural Society reports,

“The Organic Consumers Association (OCA), IFOAM International Organics, Navdanya, Regeneration International (RI), and Millions Against Monsanto, along with dozens of global food, farming, and environmental justice groups announced at the United Nations conference held recently in Paris that an international court of lawyers and judges will assess Monsanto’s criminal liability for their atrocious acts.”

Well known environmental activist, Vandana Shiva, one of Monsanto’s most outspoken critics, commented that,

“Monsanto is … largely responsible for the depletion of soil and water resources, species extinction and declining biodiversity, and the displacement of millions of small farmers worldwide,” (Science Alert)

Big Business, Big Hand

The little guy can rarely rise above the onslaught of adversity, but when a large corporation like Monsanto is threatened its big hand of power seems to easily swat its opponents. At its last estimation, Monsanto ranked #360 on the Forbes 500 list (2015) coming in at a market cap of $55.7 billion dollars. When that kind of money is thrown around it can easily act like a swinging sword in a Davey and Goliath fight.

Proof of Monsanto’s big hand can be found in a USRTK (US Right To Know) report which found  possible cover ups and harassment of USDA scientists. The report cited a March 27th, 2015 article in Reuters stating that,

“…according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, “some scientists working for the federal government are finding their research restricted or censored when it conflicts with agribusiness industry interests….at least 10 USDA scientists have been investigated or faced other consequences arising from research that called into question the safety of certain agricultural chemicals….Research into glyphosate, the key ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, and neonicotinoid insecticides, which have been linked to honey bee and monarch butterfly endangerment, face particular scrutiny…”

Don’t Fall Prey to the Propaganda

Both sides of the GMO argument are using the same tactic, fear. Monsanto wants you to fear the “radical” activists willing to do or say anything that will stop corporate farming and the activists want you to fear Monsanto driving you into the arms of the also misleading organic industry.

Overall, GMO’s have been in our food chain for over 20 years and Monsanto supporters claim this is proof enough that they are safe. However, genetic manipulation could be a slow accumulation that takes years to cause health and environmental damage. In many cases this damage, particularly to humans, can be difficult to assess given the link (GMO seeds) which remains so elusive.

Keep an eye out for the Monsanto trial scheduled to start on October 12th, 2016 and ironically, or deliberately, ending on World Food Day, October 16th.