Speak up! Tell USDA to reject new GE crops

  • Print
Details
Published on Sunday, 16 February 2014 21:00
Written by editor

Website | Send to a Friend | DONATE Pesticide Action Network Updates

Dow’s new GE seeds = more pesticide use

Corn field.

A bad idea

Dow's new GE corn and soy are designed for use with 2,4-D, and will drive up use of this very hazardous pesticide.

Tell USDA to keep these GE seeds off the market.

Take Action

Dear PAOV,

We have less than two weeks left to get the message across to USDA: approving Dow’s controversial new 2,4-D-resistant corn and soy seeds is a very bad idea. As we know from Monsanto’s “RoundUp Ready” crops, allowing these genetically engineered (GE) crops on the market will drive up the use of 2,4-D, a harmful and hazardous chemical.

Hundreds of thousands of people across the country — including farmers and healthcare professionals — are voicing strong concern. Will you join them?

Speak up! » Tell the agency to keep 2,4-D seeds off the market and out of the ground. Approving these seeds will threaten the health of rural communities and the livelihood of farmers. And they will pave the way for more herbicide-resistant GE seeds waiting in the wings.

The stakes are staggering. Noted agricultural scientist Charles Benbrook projects that widespread planting of Dow’s 2,4-D corn could trigger a 25-fold increase in the pesticide's use, from today’s estimated 4.2 million pounds to over 100 million pounds by 2019.

And as with Monsanto’s RoundUp Ready lines, there will be unintended consequences. Only this time, the fallout will be even worse. Here’s why:

  • 2,4-D is a very toxic herbicide. It’s a reproductive toxicant, suspected endocrine disruptor and probable carcinogen. Children are particularly susceptible.
  • 2,4-D will drift off of target crops. Broadleaf plants like tomatoes, grapes, beans, cotton and non-GE soy are particularly at risk. Conventional farmers will lose crops, while organic farmers will lose both crops and certification.
  • 2,4-D-resistant “superweeds” will spread, just as RoundUp-resistant weeds have taken over farms and countryside across the U.S.

Tell USDA to stand with farmers » Farmers and rural communities will bear the burden of the increased 2,4-D use, while Dow will reap the benefit through further dominating the seed market. And 2,4-D is a dangerous, antiquated herbicide that shouldn’t be on the market at all. Approving GE seeds that will dramatically drive up its use just doesn't make sense.

Thank you for speaking up on this important issue!

Pesticide Action Network North America 1611 Telegraph Ave. Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94612 USA
Phone: 510.788.9020 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Web:www.panna.org
Facebook | Twitter | r2