** Taken from Sum of Us e-newsletter, words by Paul Ferris ***
About 15 thousand years ago, the world’s first farmer had the idea of saving the seeds from one year’s crop and planting them again next year. And that’s how farmers did it for thousands of years after that.
Until Monsanto.
Today, Monsanto is claiming patent rights over seeds – the fundamental source of all plant life – so it can charge farmers royalties for doing what people have done for thousands of years.
It’s already charging millions in illegal royalties in Brazil. It’s suing farmers in the U.S. And in India it’s jacked up the cost of seeds so much that it’s contributing to an epidemic of suicides among bankrupt farmers.
The latest front in Monsanto’s war on farmers is Canada, where a bill is flying through parliament to give corporate agribusiness long-term patent rights over seeds. And if it win heres, Monsanto will use trade agreements to force other countries to abide by these patent claims as well.
Canadian farmers are fighting back, but they’re massively outgunned by Monsanto’s lobbyists and money. If they’re going to have any chance to stop this bill, they need our help to fight back. Can you chip in $5 a month to stop Monsanto’s attempt to monopolize food production in Canada and around the world?
Yes, I’ll chip in $5 a month to help stop Monsanto from monopolizing our food system.
No, but I can make a one-time contribution.
Giving monthly is the best way to help, because it lets us plan for the future and be ready for whatever Monsanto throws at us. You can update or cancel your donations any time.
In January, thousands of us chipped in with concerned shareholders to demand that Monsanto admit publicly that their GMO crops pose real risks to the environment — and we got incredible press, putting serious pressure on the bio-tech giant to change their ways.
Now, we’re teaming up with farmers to battle Monsanto in Canada – and together we make a powerful team.
The farmers have the expertise, credibility, and passion that comes from fighting for your livelihood. And with 4 million members and cutting edge online campaign tactics, SumOfUs has the power to raise public awareness and turn this into a massive grassroots movement.
The Canadian parliament could vote on the Monsanto seed takeover any time — so we need to take action now.
As Vandana Shiva said, when corporations control seeds, they control life. They’re taking a renewable common resource and turning it into a non-renewable, patented commodity. It’s up to us to fight back. Can you chip in $5 a month?
Thanks for making your voices heard,
Paul and the team at SumOfUs.org
Image credit: Frederic Didillon/Getty Images
Leave a Reply