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Pesticide Action Network

Pesticide Action Network

USDA greenlights another hazardous pesticide-promoting seed

For Immediate Release: March 24, 2016

On March 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the approval of Monsanto’s genetically modified corn that has been engineered to resist the company’s dicamba herbicide as well as glufosinate. This follows USDA’s prior approvals of Monsanto’s dicamba-resistant cotton and soybean seeds in January 2015.

The decision comes in the midst of a controversial White House and USDA review of how biotech products and technologies are regulated. Farmers and public interest groups have criticized the process for excluding meaningful public engagement. The third and final public meeting will take place in Davis, California on March 30th.

PAN senior scientist Marcia Ishii-Eiteman, issued this statement:

“USDA’s approval today of Monsanto’s dicamba-resistant corn reflects that agency’s stubborn determination to put corporate profit above farmers’ livelihoods. The approval essentially protects Monsanto’s bottom line, enabling the corporation to recoup market losses from the declining relevance, efficacy and functionality of its Roundup Ready line of seeds.

Monsanto’s dicamba-resistant corn will keep farmers on an increasingly desperate pesticide treadmill, at a time when the agency should be showing inspired leadership in transitioning the country to safe and sustainable diversified farming. Instead, USDA continues to put organic and non-GMO farmers’ crops and livelihoods at extreme risk.

Our public agencies can and must do more to protect our farmers, our rural communities and our health. Americans need a new, coherent, integrated approach to GE seed and pesticide regulation that protects all farmers’ livelihoods and health, not the bottom-line of the Big 6 pesticide companies.”

Press contact:

Paul Towers, 916-216-1082 or ptowers@panna.org

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Pesticide Action Network

Pesticide Action Network

Pesticide Action Network is dedicated to advancing alternatives to pesticides worldwide. Follow @pesticideaction

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