Monsanto News

Bayer AG clinches deal to buyout Monsanto for $66 billion By Karen Graham German drug and farm chemical maker Bayer AG has finally reached a deal with U.S. seed and weed killer company Monsanto that could create a company that will control over a quarter of the world's market for seeds and pesticides.

Monsanto pulls its new GM cotton seed from India in protest By Karen Graham New Delhi - Monsanto has withdrawn its application seeking approval for its next-generation of genetically modified cotton seeds from India. Monsanto's latest move is in response to a long-standing dispute with the Indian government.

Court rules Monsanto can't dismiss farmer's cancer claim By Karen Graham Honolulu - A federal judge has refused Monsanto's request to dismiss a claim brought by a former coffee farmer who claims the company's weed-killer, Roundup caused her cancer.

Monarch butterfly: Canadian towns to help endangered species By Marcus Hondro An American study released earlier this year said there is a possibility that the number of monarch butterflies could fall so low their migratory patterns will be disrupted. The study authors said that could lead to the Monarch becoming "quasi-extinct."

Monsanto turns down Bayer's proposal, still open to negotiations By Claudio Buttice Monsanto has rejected a $62 billion takeover proposal from German pharmaceutical giant Bayer, calling the bid "incomplete and financially inadequate." However, negotiations still appear to be open.

Bayer-Monsanto tie-up fuels anti-GM debate in Germany By AFP Frankfurt - A proposed tie-up between Bayer and Monsanto may still face numerous hurdles but it has already inflamed opinion in Germany where most people oppose genetically modified foods.

Study: Fate of Monarch butterfly may end up as 'quasi-extinction' By Marcus Hondro For some time scientists have raised alarm bells over the beautiful Monarch butterfly. Those bells just got a little louder with the release of a study that suggests the Monarch could actually become "quasi-extinct" in the not-too-distant future.

Essential Science: What is the concern about glyphosate? By Tim Sandle Washington - After years of debate and lobbying, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to begin testing foods for the controversial herbicide glyphosate. What is this chemical and why might it be a problem?

Viral story linking Zika virus, microcephaly to Monsanto debunked By Megan Hamilton A spate of stories linking birth defects to Monsanto instead of the Zika virus have been widely debunked, and Monsanto spoke out on the issue Monday in order to clear up "rumors and misinformation."

Agrochemical companies circle their wagons over Zika virus By Karen Graham The seemingly increased number of cases of microcephaly in newborns in Brazil which coincided with a Zika virus outbreak has stunned the world. The Zika virus has been linked to cases of microcephaly, however there are some doctors who disagree.

Monsanto 'slammed' for violating European patent law on GMO melon By Karen Graham The European Patent Office has revoked a patent on genetically modified melons held by Agro-Giant Monsanto after a January 20, 2016 hearing held in Munich, Germany.

New study by USDA proves it was wrong about GE alfalfa By Karen Graham Monsanto's genetically engineered (GE) Roundup-Ready alfalfa has already cost farmers millions of dollars, and now, a new study by the USDA, the same agency that re-approved it, has found that GE alfalfa has really gone wild, literally.

Should a leading weedkiller be banned? By Tim Sandle A debate is taking place about the use of glyphosate-based weedkillers. This is in relation to the possible carcinogenic effects of this widely used farm product.

Monsanto eyeing Mexico's indigenous corn varieties By Karen Graham Mexico's unique and varied native maize varieties are under attack from Monsanto, the world's largest seed producer as it vies to plant genetically modified (GMO) corn in the country.

Argentina study: 85% of tampons contaminated with glyphosate By Karen Graham La Plata - A new study conducted in Argentina has found that the vast majority of tampons, sanitary pads and sterile cotton products sold in the country are contaminated with glyphosate, the key ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup, ruled to be a carcinogen by the WHO.

French minister asks shops to stop selling Roundup By Karen Graham French Ecology Minister Segolene Royal announced on Sunday the ban on the sale of Monsanto's popular weedkiller, Roundup in garden centers. The United Nations has warned the weedkiller may be carcinogenic.

Thousands worldwide march against Monsanto and GM crops By AFP Paris - Thousands of people hit the streets in cities across the world Saturday to protest against the American biotechnology giant Monsanto and its genetically modified crops and pesticides.

Op-Ed: Roundup's glyphosates are killing our gut microbes By Karen Graham Celiac disease and gluten-intolerance is a growing problem worldwide, but especially in North America and Europe. The causative factor in the increase of these disorders can be explained by studies done on the use of Roundup on the foods we eat.

Fears over Monsanto's herbicide Roundup prompt private testing By Karen Graham The focus of scientists, food companies and consumer groups is now on Monsanto's Roundup, and its active ingredient, glyphosate. Even though testing has increased in the past two years, they have spiked since the WHO report in March.

Monsanto fined for not reporting hazardous chemical releases By Marcus Hondro The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice released a statement Thursday announcing they have fined the agrochemical company Monsanto. The fine is for releasing dangerous chemicals into the air without informing the government.

Monarch butterfly may be designated an endangered species By Marcus Hondro A group of 52 members of the U.S. Congress are looking to save the beautiful Monarch butterfly. To help do so the politicians sent a letter to Pres. Obama last week asking him to put the iconic insect on the endangered species list.

Op-Ed: Why the GMO debate is far from over By Karen Graham There has been a lot of discussion on the pros and cons of genetically-engineered food crops of late. But the vast majority of consumers are actually left in the dark over the safety of GMOs because the FDA, USDA and Monsanto say they are safe.

Monarch butterfly endangered, is Monsanto to blame? By Marcus Hondro The US Fish and Wildlife Service issued a press release on how the monarch butterfly has been nearly wiped out due to loss of habitat related to agricultural practices.

Edmonton marches against Monsanto Special By Paula Kirman Edmonton - A local March Against Monsanto drew dozens of activists concerned about health, and environment, food security, and related issues.

March Against Monsanto draws hundreds in Edmonton Special By Paula Kirman Edmonton - May 24 was the second annual global March Against Monsanto. Marches and rallies protesting genetically modified food took place all around the globe.

Bee losses may be economically unsustainable By Ryan Hite Honey Bee losses over recent winters may be economically unsustainable according to reports by the USDA. Although corporations assert that it is not as a result of their products, other studies say otherwise.

Vermont first state to pass mandatory GMO food-labeling law By Marcus Hondro Monsanto and other companies making food with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are in the habit of winning, of having states and entire countries not require mandatory labeling of GMOs. But not this time, not in Vermont.

Farmers concerned by large Monsanto data collection By Michael Thomas While farmers are already heavily reliant on algorithms and tablets for planning their seed-planting, they are concerned that big seed sellers like DuPont and Monsanto could be cashing in on an orgy of crop data.

Activists posing as lobbyists mock congress with fake awards By Justin King Today activists opposed to Monsanto’s lobbying efforts and tactics posed as lobbyists for a fake lobbying group, distributing mock awards to congressional members who took money from the company.

Monsanto Protection Act extension hidden in spending bill By Justin King The controversial provision nicknamed the “Monsanto Protection Act” was included by House Republicans in the bill to approve funding that is required to avoid a government shutdown.

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