Monsanto gives up fight for GM plants in Europe

[Something completely different]

No...but crops getting destroyed by pests is a bad thing for the farmer. Besides, there are countries with famines outside of Europe that we trade with...

when crops are destroyed this stilll does not make the case for uprooting an ecosystem without the knowlege which consequences that may have.

????

What am I supposed to think of someone who when confronted with a famine wants to trade food?

Other than that, the absence of monsanto hasnt hindered european countries from giving food aid for free

Well without a proper source I can't really comment. What biodiversity did they mean, etc.? Monsanto provide a very specific pesticide for a type of pest, and a seed which is resistant to the pesticide.

You dont understand evolution and ecology.

Pests are not the only compedetores for livingspace. Actualy "pests" like bugs have a purpose in a ecological system by keeping balance upright.
Other plants from the same species are main competatores. So a monsanto crop takes the living space from other crops.

Without a source that Monsanto does this, and that they were planning to do it in Europe, I'm not sure what your point it.

Unfortunatly a german article.

The main fear is that the european market is flooded with cheap american food products, produced in a way that violates european means of production. this is something not only limited to monsanto.
European countries have strickt regulations on what country can export and import food from where to where. This is to prevent the spreading of diseases and also to keep local small production alive and independent.

[Big Blue Sky]

Ok fuck this, What if we grow our own food,this should be the most healthy thing to do.

[Something completely different]

Ok fuck this, What if we grow our own food,this should be the most healthy thing to do.

Because I got better things to do than to work in a field.

[littleendian]

Now that`s great news.

But since debate is focusing on achieving a free trade zone between the US and EU markets, I am pritty sure that the helpfull EU regulations on food production will fall or be rewriten to let the US export their cheap shit food, export to Europe.
Anyway, one doesnt find that much lobbying in European parlaments as one does in the US

Yay, I always wanted to try this HFCS everyone keeps raving about! Apparently it's made from CORN and all natural, did you know that?

Woot!

[Big Blue Sky]

Ok fuck this, What if we grow our own food,this should be the most healthy thing to do.

Because I got better things to do than to work in a field.

like hanging on an atheist forum for instance.

[Something completely different]

Now that`s great news.

But since debate is focusing on achieving a free trade zone between the US and EU markets, I am pritty sure that the helpfull EU regulations on food production will fall or be rewriten to let the US export their cheap shit food, export to Europe.
Anyway, one doesnt find that much lobbying in European parlaments as one does in the US

Yay, I always wanted to try this HFCS everyone keeps raving about! Apparently it's made from CORN and all natural, did you know that?

Woot!

There are 25.8 lobbyists per congressman in the US.

Laws in the US can be practicaly purchased.

Here public interest at least has some influence on the bills.

We are more transparent and more concerned over what our citizens actualy want.

If corporations and interest groups coul by our Bundestag like they could the US Senate - things like the "Energiewende" would have never even started.

[Tiberius]

when crops are destroyed this stilll does not make the case for uprooting an ecosystem without the knowlege which consequences that may have.

You realise farming in its nature uproots ecosystems right? Fields aren't natural...they are man-made for the purposes of growing a large amount of one crop. At some point, an ecosystem is going to get uprooted. Most fields are left fallow every three years...are you against destroying that practice too?

At the end of the day, it's the farmer who should be making the decision for his fields.

What am I supposed to think of someone who when confronted with a famine wants to trade food?

Trade doesn't mean you swap food for food. We can always sell excess crops to other countries.

Other than that, the absence of monsanto hasnt hindered european countries from giving food aid for free

If countries / farmers want to give food away for free, that's great. It's still not enough food though, not by a long shot. GMO crops increase the amount of food available, because they are resistant to pests and pesticides.

You dont understand evolution and ecology.

Yes I do.

Pests are not the only compedetores for livingspace. Actualy "pests" like bugs have a purpose in a ecological system by keeping balance upright.
Other plants from the same species are main competatores. So a monsanto crop takes the living space from other crops.

Right, but we're talking about farming. It's up to the farmer what crops to plant each year, and they control the ecosystem. As I said before, a farmer often keeps a field fallow every three years or so; destroying any ecosystem that is dependent on crops being there.

Your words make it seem like Monsanto is going into fields at the dead of night and planting their seeds, which slowly takeover the farm...

The main fear is that the european market is flooded with cheap american food products, produced in a way that violates european means of production. this is something not only limited to monsanto.
European countries have strickt regulations on what country can export and import food from where to where. This is to prevent the spreading of diseases and also to keep local small production alive and independent.

IMO, it's a silly fear to have. Just tell Monsanto that they have to produce the seeds inside the EU according to current EU regulations. I'm sure they can skip the whole chlorine process and still sell seeds.

Unfortunately though, the main fear isn't what you said. The main fear is a falsehood perpetuated by the anti-GMO crowd (who are also lobbyists), that GMO crops are dangerous or unhealthy, or whatever lie they decide to tell that day. There is great research into GM crops; they have a great potential for good, but they are blocked for bad reasons.

[Something completely different]

like hanging on an atheist forum for instance.

I am unemployed.

So I also drink alot of beer, eat Pizza and watch Zombie movies.


Highly productive, important and intellectual activities.

[Tiberius]

We are more transparent and more concerned over what our citizens actualy want.

...and what happens when what citizens want is based entirely on delusions and lies?

[Tiberius]

Ok fuck this, What if we grow our own food,this should be the most healthy thing to do.

Bullshit again. There are so many reasons why this is wrong. Here are a few:

1) Most people don't have access to their own (plantable) land.
2) Even if some people do have access to land they can grow crops in, there is no telling whether that land is safe to grow stuff in.
3) People tend to have other jobs, not leaving much time to grow their own food.
4) This only really works for vegetarians...unless you are suggesting people start looking after / slaughtering their own cows, sheep, pigs, etc.
5) Farmers are just better at this kind of stuff than everyone else. They are more experienced; they know what they are doing. They will produce a much better crop that any non-farmer could ever hope to.