Basics

The Bad Seeds: The Broken Promises of Agricultural Biotechnology

2009-10-14

Agricultural biotechnology has been promoted as a key tool to combat global hunger and poverty by increasing the productivity of farmers worldwide. The technology relies on genetically modified (GM) seeds and agrochemicals that are tailored to the genetic traits of the seeds. The biotechnology industry promised that farmers could increase their yields, lower production costs and reduce agrochemical use. Instead, American farmers have faced higher costs without higher productivity, risked lawsuits from seed companies, and applied more agrochemicals as weeds and insects developed resistance to the genetic crop traits.

Global Land Grab Undermines Food Security in the Developing World

2009-08-06

Over the past five years, a little-noticed wave of investors has been snapping up fields and forests in some of the poorest developing countries. Governments, sovereign wealth funds and companies from rapidly industrializing or oil-rich developing nations have purchased or leased millions of acres of land in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. The trend is likely to continue. In June 2009, representatives from 200 financial and agribusiness firms gathered in New York to discuss agricultural investments in the developing world. These investments in some of the most productive agricultural land threaten to further undermine food security and sustainable rural economic development in the developing world.

Biotech Diplomacy: How US Embassies Are Pushing GMOs Throughout Europe

2009-05-08

When you think of an embassy, you might think of diplomats dining with world leaders and consulate staffers assisting travelers who have lost their passports. Lately, however, ambassadors representing the United States have been carrying out a less traditional sort of mission in the European Union: promoting the interests of biotechnology companies and the genetically modified products they are attempting to sell around the world.

Chinese Imports

2009-04-14

In the last year, thousands of people worldwide have fallen sick from eating unsafe food produced in China. Lax inspections abroad and at home mean that Chinese food producers have relied on dangerous additives, fertilizers and pesticides, leaving consumers to contend with the dangerous residue of China’s unregulated food production system. And consumers are growing weary of the neverending scandals surrounding imports from China, from tainted dog food, to cookies laced with melamine, to the rising incidence of avian flu.

Peru Trade Deal Threatens U.S. Asparagus Growers

2007-10-22

Imported asparagus from Peru has already devastated asparagus producers in the U.S., but the Peru Free Trade Agreement would accelerate the damage to the remaining farmers in California, Washington, and Michigan.

U.S. Onion Farmers at Risk from Peru Trade Deal

2007-10-22

Rising onion imports, particularly those resulting from the Peru Free Trade Agreement, are making it harder for farmers in California, the Rockies, the Upper Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, Texas and parts of the Northeast to earn a reliable living growing onions.

U.S. Pea Farmers at Risk From Peru Trade Deal

2007-10-22

Rising pea imports, particularly those resulting from the Peru Free Trade Agreement, are making it harder for farmers in the Upper Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and parts of the Northeast to earn a living growing green peas.

Peru Trade Deal Threatens U.S. Vegetable Growers

2007-10-19

Peru Free Trade Agreement Will Hurt America’s Vegetable Growers

CAFTA's War on Farmers

2006-07-10

The year 2006 arrived without the Central America Free Trade Agreement on the books. After being bullied through Congress this past summer, CAFTA was scheduled to go into effect on January 1. The Bush administration, however, hasn’t been able to force its would-be trading partners to get onboard with the treaty – yet.

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Basics

The Bad Seeds: The Broken Promises of Agricultural Biotechnology

Global Land Grab Undermines Food Security in the Developing World

Biotech Diplomacy: How US Embassies Are Pushing GMOs Throughout Europe

Chinese Imports

Peru Trade Deal Threatens U.S. Asparagus Growers

U.S. Onion Farmers at Risk from Peru Trade Deal

U.S. Pea Farmers at Risk From Peru Trade Deal

Peru Trade Deal Threatens U.S. Vegetable Growers

CAFTA's War on Farmers

Fact Sheets

Reports


Take Action Keep Chinese chicken out of the U.S. Explore Further Europe Latin America Africa Global Trade Trade Agreements World Trade Organization An Alternative Framework Food and Global Trade FAQ World Water Deutsch Español Francais Polski Portuguesa Press In The News Food & Water Watch Hands Petition to Members of Congress Calling for Continued Ban on Chinese Chicken Private produce safety rules burden smaller-scale, diversified farms, threaten conservation, lack transparency, new report finds Food & Water Watch to Congress: Start Equivalency Process from Scratch for Chinese Imports Food & Water Watch Disputes Obama Administration’s Reliance on Trade, Biotechnology to Combat Global Hunger and Poverty More >> See all headlines >> See all headlines >> Help Us Grow	Basics The Bad Seeds: The Broken Promises of Agricultural Biotechnology 2009-10-14 Agricultural biotechnology has been promoted as a key tool to combat global hunger and poverty by increasing the productivity of farmers worldwide. The technology relies on genetically modified (GM) seeds and agrochemicals that are tailored to the genetic traits of the seeds. The biotechnology industry promised that farmers could increase their yields, lower production costs and reduce agrochemical use. Instead, American farmers have faced higher costs without higher productivity, risked lawsuits from seed companies, and applied more agrochemicals as weeds and insects developed resistance to the genetic crop traits. Global Land Grab Undermines Food Security in the Developing World 2009-08-06 Over the past five years, a little-noticed wave of investors has been snapping up fields and forests in some of the poorest developing countries. Governments, sovereign wealth funds and companies from rapidly industrializing or oil-rich developing nations have purchased or leased millions of acres of land in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. The trend is likely to continue. In June 2009, representatives from 200 financial and agribusiness firms gathered in New York to discuss agricultural investments in the developing world. These investments in some of the most productive agricultural land threaten to further undermine food security and sustainable rural economic development in the developing world. Biotech Diplomacy: How US Embassies Are Pushing GMOs Throughout Europe 2009-05-08 When you think of an embassy, you might think of diplomats dining with world leaders and consulate staffers assisting travelers who have lost their passports. Lately, however, ambassadors representing the United States have been carrying out a less traditional sort of mission in the European Union: promoting the interests of biotechnology companies and the genetically modified products they are attempting to sell around the world. Chinese Imports 2009-04-14 In the last year, thousands of people worldwide have fallen sick from eating unsafe food produced in China. Lax inspections abroad and at home mean that Chinese food producers have relied on dangerous additives, fertilizers and pesticides, leaving consumers to contend with the dangerous residue of China’s unregulated food production system. And consumers are growing weary of the neverending scandals surrounding imports from China, from tainted dog food, to cookies laced with melamine, to the rising incidence of avian flu. Peru Trade Deal Threatens U.S. Asparagus Growers 2007-10-22 Imported asparagus from Peru has already devastated asparagus producers in the U.S., but the Peru Free Trade Agreement would accelerate the damage to the remaining farmers in California, Washington, and Michigan. U.S. Onion Farmers at Risk from Peru Trade Deal 2007-10-22 Rising onion imports, particularly those resulting from the Peru Free Trade Agreement, are making it harder for farmers in California, the Rockies, the Upper Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, Texas and parts of the Northeast to earn a reliable living growing onions. U.S. Pea Farmers at Risk From Peru Trade Deal 2007-10-22 Rising pea imports, particularly those resulting from the Peru Free Trade Agreement, are making it harder for farmers in the Upper Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and parts of the Northeast to earn a living growing green peas. Peru Trade Deal Threatens U.S. Vegetable Growers 2007-10-19 Peru Free Trade Agreement Will Hurt America’s Vegetable Growers CAFTA's War on Farmers 2006-07-10 The year 2006 arrived without the Central America Free Trade Agreement on the books. After being bullied through Congress this past summer, CAFTA was scheduled to go into effect on January 1. The Bush administration, however, hasn’t been able to force its would-be trading partners to get onboard with the treaty – yet. Fact Sheets The Bad Seeds: The Broken Promises of Agricultural Biotechnology Global Land Grab Undermines Food Security in the Developing World Biotech Diplomacy: How US Embassies Are Pushing GMOs Throughout Europe Chinese Imports Peru Trade Deal Threatens U.S. Asparagus Growers more... Reports Casino of Hunger: How Wall Street Speculators Fueled the Global Food Crisis — During 2008, rising food prices — accelerated by ... rBGH: How Artificial Hormones Damage the Dairy Industry and Endanger Public Health — Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), also cal ... Where's the Local Beef? — Local beef. Sustainable sausage. They’re what a ... The Poisoned Fruit of American Trade Policy — Food & Water Watch Report - Poison Fruit of Ameri ... What’s Behind the Global Food Crisis? — The 2008 global food crisis is compromising the su ... more...