Tell the Department of Justice what you think about corporate monopolies in the food system
Are you concerned about where your food comes from? Do you care about the working conditions of farmers and food workers? Is it inconvenient to get to the store? Do you have access to fresh produce in your neighborhood? Are you concerned about meat and poultry packing conditions that threaten your health and that of the workers? Are you worried that corporate giants like Monsanto control a large share of our seed supply?
This is the biggest opening in 30 years. The Department of Justice is on a fact finding mission about agribusiness and they need to hear from us! To be heard you must submit your letter to the Antitrust Division by December 31, 2009. There is currently no legislation nor are any regulations proposed. What we say could potentially put an end to further consolidation in the agricultural, processing, and supermarket sectors.
The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are seeking our comments on consolidation in the food system by December 31, 2009. We have just four weeks to tell them what's wrong in our food system and make suggestions for how to fix it.
Please e-mail your comments to agriculturalworkshops@usdoj.gov
Or you can submit two paper copies of your comments to Legal Policy Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 5th Street, NW, Suite 11700, Washington, D.C. 20001. All comments received will be publicly posted.
Here's a sample letter written by one activist:
I want: 1. To know where my food comes from (plant& animal) , 2. It organically & sustainably produced, 3. Good working conditions for farmers, workers, animals, 4. It accessable to all (esp. those in poverty areas, like inner cities), and 5. That it is not controlled/manipulated for profit only by major corporations.
Ex. Monsanto is allowed to control the majority of the world's seed, to the detrament to us all, our health & the environment. Just think- they invented 'terminator' (anti-life) seed (that can't reproduce, so they have control & profit over the masses- don't care about people or suffering or environmental degragradation/pollution- that's their demented God), toxic deadly chemicals (yes, they invented Agent Orange that causes such misery to our soldiers & Vietnam), and use terrorism tactics. (Just ask internationally known, Canadian Percy Schmeiser, who had the 'nerve' to fight them over contaminating his fields with GMO's). Monsanto think they are rulers over life, like they are Gods to have the right to 'patent' life forms & destroy nature's wonderful harmony, for greed. Many Indigenous peoples have also been violated.
Then there is the issue of food & seed sovereignty, and our health. These corporations are draining our life blood & GMO's/GE kill microorganisms in our soil that are the basis of life, all life, we (humans & all other native plant/animal species) are dependent upon healthy nature ecosystems- no matter how disconnected & arrogant we are. Remember, the potatoe famine in Ireland, it was saved by Indigenous varieties in S. America. We (you!) need to promote the native seeds/species & make sure it's the natural huge variety to meet the future's challenges. These huge industry's are making great strides to dim this. If we don't have a sustainable & natural food/seed soveignty supply, this becomes a national security issue. American's take food very seriously, revolt can happen.
Who do you work for- citizens or industry? Do your job- Protect Our food, water, rights, wildlife & health!
Sincerely,
(name)
For additional sample letters, go to http://usfoodcrisisgroup.org/node/22
Your attention to this most urgent matter would be much appreciated by all present & future generations of all species.
Please forward this information to friends who may also like to submit comments. Thank you.
Five workshops will be held in 2010 in Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Washington, D.C. and Wisconsin. But the best way to get your concerns heard is to submit your written comments.
For specifics about the workshops: http://www.justice.gov/atr/public/workshops/ag2010/index.htm#overview
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