MONSANTO UP TO THEIR TRICKS AGAIN

The Peasant Movement of Papay (MPP), Haiti, is urging farmers to reject donated seed stock from Monsanto, and farmers have responded saying they will burn the gift.
Monsanto jumped into Haitian reconstruction efforts, along with the rest of the world, committing to provide over $4 million worth of product to Haitian farmers over 2010. Monsanto announced the donation saying
"... Following the disaster, Monsanto donated money to the recovery, but it was clear a donation of our products – quality corn and vegetable seeds – could really make a difference in the lives of Haitians.
We believe agriculture is key in the long-term recovery of Haiti. That’s why we’ve donated more than $4 million worth of conventional corn and vegetable seeds to be made over the next 12 months in support of reconstruction efforts. The donated seeds include corn, cabbage, carrot, eggplant, melon, onion, tomato, spinach and watermelon.[The donation will not go directly to farmers, but instead will go to farming association stores in Haiti, where the seeds will be sold to up to 10,000 Haitian farmers. Monsanto anticipates those buying farmers who buy the seed will be able to grow themselves food as well as "... provide them additional economic opportunities."] .... HERE'S HOW THAT WORKS

IF THE FARMERS WHO HAVE FARMED THIS LAND FOR 1000 YRS USE THE MONSANTO " donated " SEEDS , THEY WILL HAVE TO BUY THOSE SEEDS EVERY YEAR FROM THEN ON TO GROW THEIR CROPS , WHICH THEY CAN GROW FOR FREE RIGHT NOW ........... THATS HOW MONSANTO MAKES MONEY .


The Haitian Ministry of Agriculture approved our donation and ensured the seed selected was appropriate for the growing conditions and farmer practices in Haiti."

But do Haitians want the seed? A letter circulated the web via email in May from Haiti's Chavannes Jean-Baptiste. Jean-Baptiste is the Executive Director of MPP, and he characterized the donation from Monsanto as "a very strong attack on small agriculture, on farmers, on biodiversity, on Creole seeds..., and on what is left our environment in Haiti," reported the Huffington Post. A press release from the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) said Jean-Baptiste called the donation "a new earthquake."

The growing farmer rejection of Monsanto's donation has raised the old issue of whether those living in poverty have the right to determine what is best for them. Most comfortably-fed pundits, such as Margaret Wente, feel that hungry Haitian farmers have no right except to accept the Monsanto gift.