the number of pesticides. For a while, it appeared to have worked. Studies in 2006, 2007 and 2008 cited decreases in pesticides. Then U. S. farmers started to complain about having to use more and more pesticides to try to eliminate the newly created “SUPERWEEDS” – (herbicide resistant weeds) and the hard-to-kill insects. It turns out that GE crops led to an increase, not decrease, of pesticide use from 1996 through 2011; a whopping 404 million pounds more pesticides! Recently, farmers have been feeling a need to return to using high risk older herbicides on corn, soy and cotton crops to try to eliminate the superweeds. Farmers also are forced to use the GMO seeds since Monsanto owns most of all patented GMO seeds under the brand name Roundup Ready.
A study published last year at Purdue University in Indiana found evidence that neonicotinoid coated corn seeds generated dust that traveled beyond the fields where the seeds were planted. The researchers found toxins in the soil as well as the pollen collected by the bees for food. These neonics were present on dead bees collected for study.
September, 2012, Charles Benbrook published this peer-reviewed paper and proved a steady increase of pesticides and how weeds were developing a resistance to Roundup Ready.
MONSANTO MUST BE FEELING THE PRESSURE
Just this week, Monsanto announced they will host a “BEE SUMMIT” in June. Along with Monsanto, other agri-chemical companies such as Syngenta and Bayer claim it is an invasive mite that is killing the bees and not their pesticides. This should be very interesting. These companies say they want to find out the truth of what is killing the bees. OK, but that remains to be seen. If these companies plan on doing their own studies……Well, I wouldn’t call these independent studies, would you?
GMO LABELING – your right to know
YOU have the right to know whether a product is from a GMO source. I want to be able to choose between a GMO product and a non-GMO product. Organic products are labeled, nutritional content on products is labeled, therefore GMO products should be labeled as well. People have the right to be informed about what they are about to place in their bodies as food.
The GMO seeds used in developing nations under the guise of “feeding starving nations” is very controversial. Although these “frankenplants” might appear to feed the hungry in the short term, it will most likely back fire in the long run. Big agri-business practices will be very difficult for farmers to sustain in countries like Africa and elsewhere. Their soils are already poor of nutrients due to the lack of sustainable farming practices. GMO seeds, and the horrible pesticides that feed them, will worsen the situation. Instead, the farmers in these developing countries should be educated on sustaining healthy farms to grow healthy crops. Run off pesticides into the water supply further endangers the ecology resulting in added pollution and more diseases.
WANT TO HELP THE HONEY BEES MAKE A COME BACK?
- Try not to use pesticides around your house. I don’t use any pesticides and pick my own weeds the old fashioned way. Besides, it’s good exercise. Definitely, don’t use pesticides mid-day when honey bees are out looking for nectar. Also, do not use pesticides on flowering plants that attract bees.
- Attract bees in flower gardens by planting red clover, aster, black-eyed Susan, caltrop, currant, huckleberry, Joe-pye weed, lupine, elder, goldenrod, cotoneaster, foxglove, giant hyssop, globe thistle, sunflowers and zinnias. I’m sure there are plenty more choices to plant.
- Attract bees in herb gardens by planting basil, English lavender, marjoram, rosemary, sage and oregano.
THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY (“Butterflies Are NOT Free” ) to migrate
In 1976, one billion monarchs gathered to the mountain top forests in central Mexico. Reaching 59% in decline, this is the 3rd straight year less butterflies are completing the journey from Canada and the United States to Mexico. The loss of native plants and milkweed are affecting the butterflies. American farmland has replaced mil