One of the causes of antibiotic resistance in humans is the overuse of antibiotics on industrial animal farms. Despite the urgent public health crisis, neither the FDA nor lawmakers have stemmed the overuse of such important medicines for purposes of growth and disease prevention, not treatment.
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In a case of national prominence, farmers, seed selling businesses and agricultural organizations are fighting for their right to seek legal protection from accusations of patent infringement by the agri-giant Monsanto should they become contaminated by Monsanto’s GMO seed. 
European Food Safety Authority’s analysis of neonicotinioids acknowledged a number of serious risks to bees associated with their use. The agency recommended that, among other things, these systemic pesticides be only used on crops not attractive to honey bees. Food and supplement makers complain they are under siege all the while making deceptive health claims and doing little to improve nutrition. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has been behind many of the lawsuits over unsubstantiated and misleading labeling. 
A recent study found that a combination of two pesticides impairs the natural foraging behavior of bumblebees, increases worker mortality as well as increases the propensity of bumblebee colonies to fail. The term “GMO” is an acronym that more Americans recognize because of the events that transpired in 2012. Here are the stories that concerned, disappointed and inspired us during this past year. Thank you for reading and have a healthy and happy New Year! Public Employees For Environmental Responsibility sued for the release of FDA’s records that would demonstrate the effectiveness of the agency’s voluntary approach of phasing out the use of medically important antibiotics on animal farms. Guess what they revealed. 
A judge recently ordered Fish and Wildlife Services to halt the planting of genetically engineered crops on the national wildlife land in the Southeast Region. Similar result eluded environmental groups in a related lawsuit over GMO use on refuge lands in the Midwest Region. 
The historic drought of the 2012 season is far from over, but one side effect of the drought is already predicted to extend into the next year on the scale not seen before. 
There was no shortage of vitriol against a new long-term GMO study showing cancers in rats fed GM maize, as well as those fed Roundup, in amounts well below the officially set safety limits. Is the orchestrated response to discredit Seralini et al anti-science? Despite overwhelming popular support during the campaign season, early indications show that California’s Proposition 37 has been defeated by opponents of our basic right to know what’s in our food. 
Polls open tomorrow in California and Californians are asked to choose whether genetically modified foods and ingredients should be labeled. Vote YES on Proposition 37 and urge others to do the same. 
Last week House Rep. Henry Waxman, the ranking Democrat on the Energy and Commerce committee, announced plans to introduce a new animal antibiotic use legislation. Truth in labeling lawsuits are gaining prominence as increasingly consumers are taking giant food companies to task about their potentially misleading food labels. 
Reactions to EPA’s refusal to suspend the registration of clothianidin, given the mounting scientific evidence that this systemic poison poses an imminent hazard to bees, have been strong and unequivocal. 
The EPA went to great lengths to reject a citizen petition seeking to suspend the use of a systemic pesticide that scientific studies link to massive bee die-offs. What happened? 
Accused of selling toxic bird seed for years and then covering up its use of unregistered pesticides, Scotts Miracle-Gro settled criminal and civil charges by agreeing to record-breaking penalties. 
Advocacy takes different forms. Harrington Investments and PANNA are trying to foster greater public awareness about Monsanto’s unsustainable corporate practices by engaging in shareholder advocacy. 
The recent Minnessota Supreme Court decision raised quite a few eyebrows and we look closely at the legal issues associated with pesticide drift and this case. A new report shows an intense worldwide grassroots opposition to the dominance of multinational biotech companies like Monsanto who make big promises but fail to deliver. 
A posted announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture caused quite a stir on Wednesday when it appeared to embrace the “Meatless Monday” campaign until it heard from the beef industry. Oops! Not a mere hypothetical disagreement. The OSGATA lawsuit against Monsanto moved forward, despite the lower court dismissal, as more scholars and organizations echo concerns over GMO contamination and onerous lawsuits. 
New changes in the House Agriculture Committee’s discussion draft of the 2012 Farm Bill will eviscerate the oversight function of the USDA over GMOs. 
Backed by overwhelming public support, California’s Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act will be on November’s ballot as Proposition 37. |
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