Whole Foods Market Caves to Monsanto

Dear cc:

I don't think Anne's short report on the controversy over the role of some of the corporate groups in the new GMO rule was "irresponsible...."

WFM concedes that it "endorsed the coexistence option rather than an outright ban on GE alfalfa" and rationalizes that by saying that "The USDA presented the industry with only two options that they were considering– deregulation and deregulation with restrictions . . . – the option of an outright ban was not on the table."

But, imagine if they stood firm for the ban and put the money and time spent having a seat at the table with USDA on turning up the heat on the Obama Administration in favor of a ban. Imagine if they had fully rallied their customers and their farmers and others to stand united against a ban rather than accepting the two options Monsanto put the captured USDA up to. Had there been enormous push back, it is likely that the USDA may still have gone with deregulation with restrictions and perhaps even more restrictions and not had the political space to even say that full deregulation was an option.

What I think is outrageous is for corporations like WFM and Stonyfield to suggest that it's not appropriate for activists to criticize them, to suggest that those opposed to GMO food are not realistic and just don't understand what it's like to have a seat at the table with USDA. And, then to hide behind the skirts, so to speak, of the farmers on the front lines who are working to provide people with GMO-free organic products while the corporate heads are rubbing elbows with their friends at the USDA, who have sold out again is really something to behold.

PRW is committed to investigating PR campaigns and spin by corporations, industries, and government agencies, and I stand fully behind Anne's story on this topic. The industry capture of the federal agency on this subject and the corporate capitulation by green marketers and the spin that full deregulation versus partial deregulation were the only options the corporate "stakeholders" were allowed to consider was worthy of our attention and critique. The companies chose to accept that those were the only options rather than eschew them and join the broader organic community is standing firm that this was not negotiable. They made a choice. It was the wrong choice. And, it gives cover to the USDA's service of Monsanto's agenda.

I understand that I wasn't in the room. And, having been in the room on a variety of issues in DC I understand the allure and the rationales on compromise. But, sometimes you just have to say no, we will not go along with this and get a slice of bread or a crumb. And, this was one of those times. Partial deregulation and compensation will not protect the crops, the farmers or the people, at the end of the day. And, everyone who has been following this closely knows it. Full dereg would not either of course. And, at the end of the day, another GMO product will spread.

Lisa Graves