Monsanto's crimes and lies revealed
Boycott Monsanto campaign launched

5 June 2003 - With the Bt-corn controversy far from over, farmers, scientists and NGOs in the country intensify their protests by condemning one company that is responsible for numerous atrocities against farmers, consumers and the environment - the Monsanto Corporation.

MASIPAG, a farmer-led network of people's organizations, non-government organizations and scientists working for a sustainable agriculture will launch a book that exposes the crimes and lies of Monsanto, a major agrochemical corporation based in St. Louis, Missouri. Monsanto has established operations in more than 60 countries and produces chemical fertilizers and pesticides such as Roundup, Machete, Harness Xtra and seeds such as Cargill, Dekalb, and the genetically engineered Bt-corn known as Yieldgard. MASIPAG, along with RESIST (Resistance and Solidarity against Agrochemical TNCs), a broad alliance of 40 organizations opposing the control of agrochemical transnational corporations in agriculture and PressurePoint, a Seattle based organization dedicated to addressing unchecked corporate power will denounce Monsanto by launching a boycott campaign.

Sarah Wright, a PhD candidate from the Washington University and research fellow of MASIPAG, will present the book entitled "Selling FOOD. HEALTH. HOPE. ™ The Real Story Behind Monsanto Corporation," whose information she has gathered from personal interviews and other significant documents.

"It is important that this information is made available to the people of the Philippines to help them make informed choices," said Ms. Wright, the author. "Monsanto has been selling itself as a clean, green and trustworthy company. Unfortunately their record shows this is not true." she added.

"Monsanto does not care if it destroys our environment, our livelihood, our life. They are only interested in gaining profits by controlling our agriculture." Igmedio Facunla, a farmer from Nueva Ecija and chairperson of the Board of MASIPAG said. "We urge our fellow farmers to stop patronizing Monsanto's products such as Cargill, Dekalb and Machete and the Bt-corn variety, Yieldgard. Instead, we should adapt organic farming or other sustainable agricultural practices that are healthier, cheaper, safer to the environment and increasingly more in demand by consumers." Facunla further said.

Since 1987, MASIPAG has assisted farmers in the development of new rice and corn selections with the use of traditional varieties and developed sustainable farming practices that produce better yields with minimum pest infestation. The practical work of MASIPAG proves that even without the use of dangerous GMOs, farmers can produce safe, clean and nutritious food in a profitable manner.