For The Record: Mock trial distracts from real dialogue on the world’s food and agriculture needs and the full realization of human rights
To people interested in food, the environment and biodiversity, human rights, and Monsanto,
The organizers say this event – which alleges offenses against nature and humanity – is designed to … educate society. But this is not a real dialogue. It is a … a mock trial where… anti-Monsanto critics play … judge and jury, and the outcome is pre-determined.
In growing our food, farmers face some tough challenges as the world’s population continues to grow. We work daily to provide farmers with a broad range of solutions so they can have better harvests while making land, water and other natural resources go further, and make a more balanced plate of food more accessible for everyone.
To address these ever increasing challenges collaboratively and advance our commitment to human rights, we welcome a genuine constructive conversation with diverse ideas and perspectives about food and agriculture production. These conversations are much needed to help find sustainable solutions to those challenges.
As this is a stunt staged and supported by the International Foundation for Organic Agriculture (IFOAM) – an umbrella organization of organic agriculture organizations, and their associates such as Navdanya and others who are fundamentally opposed to modern agriculture – we will not participate.
We will continue to engage with and address concerns and questions of those who are genuinely interested in who we are and what we do. For the record, here is where we stand on transparency, the human rights to food, health and a safe environment, and sustainable food production.
We believe in the coexistence of all types of farming practices, and in farmers’ individual freedom to choose the production method that makes most sense for their goals – be that growing crops using conventional methods, or with genetically-modified seeds and other modern techniques, or by following organic practices.
We help farmers mitigate and adapt to climate change. Our products and services help farmers to use data science to grow food in a more sustainable and carbon-neutral way. We have made commitments and taken actions to enhance honey bee health; create a healthier ecosystem for monarch butterflies; and help rural communities preserve their forest-farm ecosystem, prevent illegal deforestation and protect local species.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: An Open Letter
