3 Signs That Anti-GMO Activism Is Working In EuropeAlex Pietrowski Yet, there are also days when efforts of activism from regular citizens is turning Monsanto into an ego-driven malevolent organization thats easily opposed, undermined and cast out. These days a new global activist movement is emerging where small victories in countries around the world such as India and Peru illustrate the power that we the people have, when united, to stop Monsanto and put an end to the raping of nature and our earth. Europe offers a great example of triumph driven by anti-GMO activism, which could easily fuel the drive of citizens in other countries tired of Monsanto seed overtaking farm lands and of food suppliers selling unlabeled GMOed products. Tolerance for GMO in Hungary is slight, at best, exemplified by the burning of about 1000 acres / 500 hectares of corn in mid 2011. The act was conducted not by frustrated activists or enraged protesters, but by agricultural officials and supported by the government. The Ministry of Rural Development had indicated that Monsantos crops were among corn that was ready for harvesting on the burned plantations, although this was never proved by a third-party organization. Both the farmers and Monsanto denied the claims; but in Hungary, officials have a no tolerance policy. GMO cultivation is a criminal offence. Over the last half decade, the Hungarian government has burned other agricultural fields in an effort to eradicate illegal GM crops. Hungarys deputy state secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, Lajos Bognar,stated: The government will continue seed distribution as well as crop plantings in the country to ensure that no GMO seeds will slip past authorities. Hungary was one of the first on the European Union to strongly oppose the use of transgenic seeds. Mid July 2013, the Italian agriculture ministry officially banned the cultivation of Monsantos MON810 maize, giving the reason of negative impact on biodiversity as one of the many problems with Monsantos GMO crops. The agriculture ministry, backed by the Italian health and environment ministry, stated: Our agriculture is based on biodiversity, on quality, and those we must continue to aim for, without games that even from an economic point of view would not make us competitive. There was very little GMO cultivation in Italy up to this point, because, frankly, the public opposes transgenic seeds. Italys biggest farmers group Coldiretti conducted a survey to assess the publics opinion regarding GMO crops; the results showed that 80% of Italians are in support of the ban. This is quite uplifting, considering Italys culture has a strong culinary foundation and its economy relies heavily on the quality of its food exports. The farming community and activists in Italy have been strongly opposed to GMO seeds for many years, even leading to publicly-condemned actions of vandalism such as stomping and crushing of GMO crops. Twenty-seven conservation, farming and environmental associations, run as the Task Force for an Italy Free of GMOs, have been coordinating efforts against GMO cultivation and putting up legal roadblocks for anyone trying to grow GMO crops. It seems that these activists have won one battle for the sake of the environment and human health. #3 Monsanto Officially Gives Up on Europe Following the GMO defeat in Italy, Monsanto has officially announced that it will withdraw 8 of its 9 patent applications that are pending with the European Commission. A spokesman for the company, Brandon Mitchener, stated, [The patent requests] have been going nowhere fast for several years. Theres no end in sight due to political obstructionism. Although the MON810 maize was just banned in Italy, it is currently approved for growing in Europe. Yet this seed was the last of Monsantos patented seed that was approved in Europein 1998and the decision of its patent renewal, which expired in 2008, is still not finalized. Regardless of what the European Commission decides about MON810 maize, each country in Europe can make its own assessment of the safety of GMO crops and decides if they want to allow their cultivation on their lands or not. Conclusion In the US it may seem that Monsantos political ties are too strong and advertising budgets too large, for any activist action to make much of a difference. But not for long. People are waking up and they want to know what is in their food supply. Farmers are realizing GMO seeds are not living up to Monsantos promises (just watch this video). Environmental groups are realizing the strain that GMO plants are putting on the Earths biodiversity. US farmers are starting to realize the freedom they gave up and the power they handed to only a few corporations when it comes to seed (and hence food) ownership. All of this information is quickly spreading through alternative media channels. GMOed foods are already being labeled in about 50 countries, and banned in more than 25. Europe not just one country, but many is a great example of what unified grassroots organizations, concerned citizens and informed farmers and politicians can do. In addition to the lack of political support of Monsantos patenting efforts, the EU does not allow import of GMO food or feed material through its strong GMO labeling laws. So dont be afraid to participate to share information to act. Become part of an activist effort and start making a difference. Become involved: http://www.march-against-monsanto.com/ http://www.realfarmacy.com/printable-list-of-monsanto-owned-food-producers/ http://justlabelit.org Gardening resources: Start an organic garden Permaculture basics Starting a new garden Sources: http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-monsanto-gmo-crops-europe-20130718,0,1502761.story http://naturalsociety.com/italy-ban-monsanto-gmo-corn-mon810-maize-80-percent-public-support http://planetark.org/wen/69217 http://earthfirstnews.wordpress.com/2010/08/12/italian-anti-gmo-activists-strike/ http://www.activistpost.com/2013/07/monsanto-drops-bid-to-advance-new-gm.html http://ecowatch.com/2013/monsanto-stop-promoting-gmo-europe/ http://now.msn.com/hungary-burns-1000-acres-of-gmo-corn-crops http://www.naturalnews.com/040525_hungary_gm_corn_burning_fields.html http://blog.ohmygreen.com/blog/?category=GMO Alex Pietrowski is an artist and writer concerned with preserving good health and the basic freedom to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. 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