[lbo-talk] More pesticides for GE Crops, more bith defects for farm workers...

[Mike Ballard]

GENETICALLY ENGINEERED CROPS REQUIRE MORE PESTICIDES
"While the discovery and adoption of GE crop technology has changed
American agriculture in many ways, reducing overall pesticide use is
not among them. The average acre planted to glyphosate-tolerant crops
[Monsanto's Roundup] requires more and more help from other herbicides,
a trend with serious environmental and economic implications."
http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/benbrook102804.cfm

BIRTH DEFECT RATES SKYROCKET ON FLORIDA FARMS
The state of Florida launched an investigation last week into illegally
exposing migrant workers to pesticides. Records show that at least
4,609 pesticide regulations were violated in the last ten years, but
only 7.6% of those resulted in penalties. As a result, migrant farm
workers are unknowingly facing highly dangerous working conditions in
order to supply the nation with cheap produce. For example, in
Immokalee, Florida, migrant workers in pesticide intensive tomato
fields have witnessed three children born with severe birth defects in
the last three months alone. "People have mentioned to me that maybe
this has to do with chemicals," says Francisca Herrera, who was told it
was "safe" to work in the tomato fields for most of her pregnancy.
Recently Francisca's new baby was born without arms or legs. http://www.organicconsumers.org/OFGU/birthdefects031405.cfm

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