Forbes and Monsanto: A Match Made in H*ll
Special to AgMag from EWG Communications Director Alex Formuzis
Clearly, the only criterion Forbes magazine uses when determining which U.S. corporation wins its yearly “Company of the Year” title must be profit. That’s the only way to explain how a company as notorious as Monsanto could possibly get the nod for 2009 from the mag, which proclaims itself “The Capitalist Tool.”
Too bad Bernie Madoff lost out.
The chemical behemoth, which is responsible for a laundry list of misdeeds that could land any of us behind bars, welcomed the award, of course.
Not only is this exciting for the 22,000 Monsanto employees worldwide, but it’s also exciting for everyone working in agriculture today.
Really? I don’t think “exciting” is the word those farmers whom Monsanto has targeted with lawsuits would choose, and I’m not sure the young children the company employed at its plants in India would pick it either.
Here are a few items about Forbes’ top pick for ‘09 that we highlighted in an old Mulch post, before we put that old blog out to pasture:
’65-’72: Monsanto contractors illegally dumped tons of toxic chemicals in landfills throughout the United Kingdom. As a result, UK government researchers have found components of Agent Orange, dioxins and PCBs in groundwater testing.
’05: Monsanto paid a $1.5M fine for bribing a top official in the Indonesian government in an effort to sidestep environmental and safety assessments of the company’s genetically altered cotton.
A cottonseed subsidiary of Monsanto based in India stands accused of employing children. “Around 17,000 children work for Monsanto and their Indian subsidiary Mahyco. These children get no education, earn less than 40 Eurocents . . . a day and are exposed to poisonous pesticides like Endosulphan during their work.”
According to a report by The Center for Food Safety, “The agribusiness giant has sued hundreds of farmers over GMO crops, and has been awarded more than$20 million from these farmers.” The Center issued a detailed report, noting that, “Under financial duress, many farmers who have been accused of patent infringement based on insubstantial evidence have decided to settle out of court rather than face an expensive and lengthy lawsuit.”
And, of course we can’t leave out Anniston, Alabama, where local farmers were urged by Monsanto to use soil the company knew was contaminated with PCBs.
Don’t forget Monsanto produced more agent orange during the Vietnam/American war than the other 36 chemical companies, contracted by the federal government (US), with Dow following a close 2nd.
Also infamous among the US veteran community for being able to worm it’s way out of being held accountable for producing this product while withholding the truth about agent orange.
The Vietnamese also understand the power of Monsanto & it’s protector the US Supreme Court. The children of all Vietnam veterans suffer as do the children in Vietnam.
Monsanto is powerless to wipe this slate clean, ever.
If you are the child of a US Vietnam veteran learn more about our Lobbying Campaign’ by visiting our website http://www.agentorangelegacy.us
Join our support community http://www.agentorangelegacy.ning.com
wives, widows, Viet vets, family & friends welcome to join.
Sharon L. Perry
Widow of a Vietnam Vet
Founder
Agent Orange Legacy
Children of Vietnam Veterans
Sharon:
Nice catch. My apologies for not noting this in the laundry list of misdeeds the company has been responsible for.
Alex
Wow. This award is especially ridiculous in light of the fact that a Swiss research firm recently named Monsanto the world’s least ethical corporation: http://is.gd/7gBOP
(Also, nice touch with the Madoff joke Alex!)