More info on Monsanto

[Patricia Dines <73652.1202@CompuServe.COM>]

More info on Monsanto.... P. Dines

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Forwarded message:
From:   pmligotti@earthlink.net (Peter M. Ligotti)
Date: 96-11-11 14:15:08 EST

MONSANTO'S DIRTY TRICKS

As the going has gotten tougher for rBGH, Monsanto and its
industry supporters have stepped up their campaign of
disinformation and intimidation.

As Canadian activist Brewster Kneen has noted, "The most
remarkable features of Monsanto's work are that none of its
products contribute to human welfare or nutrition.* As a result
a significant part of its activities and rsources are devoted
to trying to 'force' its products through the regulatory process
and into our food."  

[* PD NOTE: That may be a bit extreme.  They probably see themselves as being of
service.  I think it's sufficient to say that they do harm along the way too
that for many is unacceptable, and that they use force and information
suppression to continue doing that harm.]

In service of this mission, Monsanto has initmidated dairies and
retailers; misled the media, consumers and farmers; threatened
school boards with lawsuits if they ban rBGH from school
cafeterias; lobbied against rBGH labeling bills in Congress
and states; and threatened states with lawsuits if they pass
rBGH labeling laws.

Apparently, Monsanto's itimidation campaign knows no borders.
Before the European Union (EU) passed its ban on rBGH, Monsanto
warned that the EU would be found "in restaint of trade" under
the new GATT regulations, and thereby subject to trade and
financial sanctions. Monsanto also has threatened to pull all
of its business out of Canada if the Canadian government does
not approve the sale of rBGH.

While performing dirty work behind the scenes, Monsanto and the
biotech industry are working to shine up their public image.
Recently, Monsanto published, and distributed with its annual
report, a brochure titled, "Growing Together" which began,
"The Monsanto family of companies...on the outer edge of science,
with an inner strength of conscience."

A 30-page "Environmental Annual Review" published by the company
stated, "We are committed to openness, involvement, and community
dialogue to foster our employees' and the public's right to know...
We hold ourselves publically accountable for our environmental,
safety and health performance."

Other Monsanto tactics have backfired. In an act of intimidation
designed to scare dairies nationwide, Monsanto had sued two dairies
in February 1994 because they labeled and advertised their milk as
rBGH free. Monsanto charged them with fake and misleading advertising
and with undermining the public faith in Monsanto's rBGH product.
Monsanto lawyers also sent letters to thousands of dairies and
retailers across the country threatening them with lawsuits if they
too labeled their dairy products as rBGH-free.

But in June 1995 Monsanto lost its claim against the Pure Milk and Ice
Cream Co., a Waco, Texas-based dairy, which sells milk only from its own
herd of untreated cows. Monsanto was forced to reach an undisclosed
settlement with the company that includes allowing Pure Milk to resume
its labeling and advertising. Monsanto had previously reached an
out-of-court settlement with the other dairy, Swiss Valley Farms
of Davenport, Iowa. Dairies nationwide should now be confident
in labeling their milk "rBGH-free."