Seeds need an intervention

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Green America — Michael Stein" <noreply@greenamerica.org>
Date: Jun 27, 2016 8:37 AM
Subject: Seeds need an intervention
To: <aquarianm@gmail.com>
Cc:

Dear Daniel, As you know, we have big problems with our food system. We're facing decreased crop diversity, poor soil health, lower nutritional content, and dying pollinators. We've witnessed increased use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers which are poisoning farm workers and communities, and much of our food supply is controlled by biotech and agrochemical corporations. Our friends at Seed Matters are trying to solve these issues by focusing on the beginning—seeds. Sign their petition telling the US Department of Justice and USDA to support organic seed solutions that are better for farmers, the environment, and all of us. Today, six chemical companies control 63% of the seed market, and their combined R&D budgets are 15 times higher than all US public spending on agricultural research. These industrial chemical and pharmaceutical companies weren't even breeding or producing seed 25 years ago, but now they've taken over hundreds of independent seed companies around the world. And with recently announced efforts to merge some of these companies, the situation is about to get even worse. The future of our food is at stake. Please take action so that farmers and plant breeders have access to the safe and healthy seeds they need. US agriculture has become overly reliant on crops engineered for pesticides and synthetic fertilizers while ignoring the greater agricultural need and consumer demand for crops that have less of a negative impact on our soil, water, and health. The control of seeds must be put back into the hands of farmers and breeders with a more diversified approach to develop cultivars that reduce agricultural impact on natural resources, reduce chemical exposure for communities, protect pollinator health, and improve the nutritional quality of our food. Sign the letter urging USDA and DOJ to act or risk food insecurity, the future economic success of US agriculture, public health disasters, and environmental destruction. Thanks for all you do,

Michael Stein Food Campaigns Manager Green America

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