Glyphosate, 5 more years of tolerance. Berlin Zoo
The history of glyphosate in Europe may remind older people of the film ‘Christian F., We Boys at the Berlin Zoo‘ (by Uli Edel, 1981).
The role of young Berlin junkies, in this case, is played by European farmers. Some of whom have hidden their dependence from their parents, namely the national confederations that here and there-such as in Ireland, Italy (Confagricoltura and Cia) and Germany-have fought to defend the deadly poison. Without realizing the serious damage done to their own families.
The dark side of the story is represented by the Evil industry, which in the Berlin Zoo as in the Brussels Zoo had the upper hand in carrying out its shady interests. With the cover of local governments, which in both cases tolerated the spread of toxic substances in parks intended for children. And the endorsement of politicians in Brussels-who-in the voice of a Commissioner theoretically deputed to protect public health, Vytenis Andriukaitis-came to congratulate the non-prohibition of the evil substance. Authorized in EU for another 5 years.
The losers, in both cases, are the populations and families forced to see their children intoxicated in the name of profit by a narrow elite devoid of any scruples. Like the ‘Big 6,’ the six corporations that control 75 percent of the global trade in agrotoxics and GMOs. BASF, Bayer, Dupont, Dow Chemical Company, Monsanto, and Syngenta.
The complicity between German politicians and the Bayer group, which recently acquired Monsanto, does not escape anyone ‘s notice. First holder of patents on glyphosate, as well as on DDT, Agent Orange and Paraquat. (1) And it is already investing in another broad-spectrum poison, dicamba, after preparing GMO seeds resistant to it.
Few, however, remember how in 2011, before the glyphosate case reached mainstream media attention, Germany’s Federal Risk Assessment Authority (BfR) blatantly ignored the serious dangers that emerged at the time in relation to the substance. (2)
Everything was planned, the vicious link between the agrotoxics business (and the GMO business, which is functional to it) has been known for decades to anyone who dares to look beyond the false appearance of higher yields with less labor in traditional agronomic practices.
It remains for us, citizen voters and consumAtors, to do what we can to spare our children and their offspring from the Berlin Zoo and its toxicities. Which have shown themselves and will be replicated, until the fateful 99% find the strength to say Enough!
How to raise your voice is easy to say. Let’s start choosing organic foods, and in any case reward the responsible choices of industry and large-scale retail operators who decide to distinguish themselves. Controlled supply chains, integrated agriculture, strict specifications that can exclude raw materials treated with glyphosate at the post-harvest stage. (3)
Deeds and not words we must demand. Even by local governments, which in other areas have been able to impose more rules to protect their citizens and territories.
For further thoughts on the topic, we invite the reading of theebook ‘GMOs, the Big Scam.
Dario Dongo
Notes
(1) Not to mention Monsanto’s primary role in the production and release into the environment of other toxic chemicals such as PCBs and dioxins. In addition to saccharin, aspartame, and synthetic hormones for livestock growth
(2) SEE https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/idee/armi-di-distruzione-di-massa-il-glifosato
(3) As is still the case in North America, the U.S. and Canada, until the market dictates that such practices be discontinued
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
