Japan to Release Radioactive Water from Fukushima into the Sea

At the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, scientists are running out of space for the plant’s enormous amounts of irradiated water. The radioactive water is being stored in thousands of tanks, and contains tritium, a substance that is hazardous to health. About 300 tons need to be pumped into the plant every day to keep its reactors cool.

Tritium can be removed from water in laboratories, but such an effort would be preposterously expensive, so scientists have another idea in mind: dumping the nuclear waste into the ocean.

The scientists say the risks are minimal, but many Japanese residents are understandably frightened and upset. The nation’s fishermen staunchly oppose the plan, fearing a release of the water could devastate local fish stocks. [1]

More important than the fish supply is the potential toll a release of tritium could have on human health. The substance goes directly into the soft tissues and organs of the body, potentially increasing the risk of cancer and other illnesses.

The Japanese government has been trying to downplay the risk to the public. Japan’s Parliamentary Secretary even sipped from a glass of decontaminated water taken from puddles inside the buildings housing reactors 5 and 6 in front of news cameras.

http://naturalsociety.com/radioactive-water-fukushima-dumped-in-sea-7261/

 

EPA: 97% of Endangered Species Threatened by 2 Pesticides

 

We know that pesticides are harming the animals – from creatures who live in the oceans, to larger animals living on farms, in jungles, on prairies, and even flying above our heads. But even more worrisome, they seem to be a threat to endangered species roaming the earth.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just released an analysis pinpointing the collective impact that just 3 pesticides have on a surprising 97% of all the animals on endangered and threatened species lists nationwide.

These 3 common pesticides—chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion—are causing unwanted damage to the natural world.
Chlorpyrifos is manufactured primarily by Dow Agro Sciences LLC, Cheminova, Makhteshim-Agan, Garda, and Platte Chemical. It is an organophosphate pesticide that is harmful to animals and the environment. It is said to be a severe risk to 97% of America’s most threatened flora and fauna.

Chlorpyrifos is used in agriculture for feed and food crops and in cattle ear tags. This type of pesticide is also used on golf courses, and to control fire ants and mosquitoes for ‘public health.’ Products containing chlorpyrifos are also used to treat wood fences, and utility poles, as well as to exterminate termites, mosquitoes and roundworms.”

It works by blocking an enzyme which controls messages that travel between nerve cells. When the enzyme is blocked, the nervous system can’t send normal signals. The problem is that this is also how it can harm innocent animals, including those on the endangered species list.

http://naturalsociety.com/97-percent-endangered-species-threatened-3-pesticides-6748/

McDonald’s Kale Salad Surpasses Big Mac in Calorie, Fat Count

The company is marketing the salads as healthy alternatives to McDonalds’ traditional menu. The fast-food chain touts “4 Servings of Vegetables Never Tasted So Good” for its Caesar Salad with Crispy Chicken bowl, while urging customers to “get your greens on.”

The food chain boasts on its website that the “delicious” salad is made with a “nutrient-rich lettuce blend with baby kale, delicately topped with delicious crispy bacon, real parmesan petals and roasted garlic focaccia croutons.”

Don’t be fooled by the description. The “superfood” Caesar Salad with Crispy Chicken contains 730 calories – 50 more than a Big Mac’s 680 calories. [1]

Take a look at the salad’s nutritional profile compared to McDonald’s other offerings:

http://naturalsociety.com/mcdonalds-kale-salad-more-calories-fat-big-mac-6837/

Monsanto Profits Drop 25% AGAIN as Farmers, Individuals go Organic

Biotech giant Monsanto reported multiple profit-plummets in 2015 relating to sales for both its genetically modified crop creations and its best-selling herbicide, Roundup. Once again, Monsanto has reported declining profits for the fiscal second-quarter earnings – by 25%.

For Monsanto’s 2nd quarter, total sales for Monsanto dropped 13%; with one of Monsanto’s top-sellers, corn seeds, falling 11%. The biotech giant cites an “unfavorable agricultural market” for its losses, pointing out that:

 

• Pressures in overseas markets is increasing

• Farmers are reporting less income due to less-than-ideal harvests

• The strength of the U.S. dollar made products more expensive

But the company makes little or no mention of the other key factors affecting its bottom line.

• Organic food demand is exploding like crazy – and the figures show no sign of it slowing any time soon.

• The world is seeing how toxic pesticides and herbicides really are.

• Record farmers are switching to non-GMO crops.

• Monsanto is one of the most hated companies in the world.
• http://naturalsociety.com/monsanto-profits-drop-25-percent-farmers-organic-7925/

 

DUE TO HIGH ARSENC LEVELS, FDA WARNS PARENTS TO AVOID INFANT RICE CEREAL

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it was taking steps to limit the amount of inorganic arsenic found in infant rice cereal, a main source of arsenic exposure in infants.

The agency released a draft guidance to the industry that would cap inorganic arsenic levels at 100 parts per billion (ppb). Most cereals already meet that limit, or come close to it.

The agency is directing the industry to seek out rice sources that have the smallest amount of inorganic arsenic to use in its cereal products, according to Susan Mayne, director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. [1]

Said Mayne:

“Our actions are driven by our duty to protect the public health and our careful analysis of the data and the emerging science. The proposed limit is a prudent and achievable step to reduce exposure to arsenic among infants.” [2]

http://naturalsociety.com/fda-proposes-limit-inorganic-arsenic-infant-rice-cereal-7156/

 

Monsanto has Been Overcharging and Swindling Indian Farmers for Far too Long

The Telangana government is complaining to an Indian State High Court that companies like Monsanto, along with Indian associates such as Mahyco Monsanto Biotech, are exploiting farmers in the South India state.

Senior counsel C S Vaidyanathan, who appeared for the Telangana government, said that though Monsanto was charging only Rs 23 as royalty per pack of BT cotton seeds, its 50-50 Indian partner, Mahyco, and several seed manufacturers, were fleecing farmers by collecting Rs 1,250 per pack as a ‘royalty.’ The government had previously fixed Rs 50 as the maximum royalty allowed per seed pack.

Monsanto apparently had no right to collect any royalties though, since, according to Vaidyanathan, Monsanto does not possess a patent for BT1 cotton seed varieties, and only owns a patent for the BT2 variety. The company has been collecting royalties for both.

Senior counsel for Monsanto, Abhishek Singhwi said that the bench was ‘shedding crocodile tears’ for farmers.

He questioned how the state could file for an appeal three months after the initial court ruling was made. Singhwi also charged the seed manufacturers of running a proxy legal war, citing several pending writ petitions filed against Monsanto in Mumbai and in Hyderabad. He stated:

http://naturalsociety.com/monsanto-fleeced-indian-farmers-not-anymore-6762/

 

Ding Ding! EU Committee Votes AGAINST Renewal of Glyphosate Herbicide Read more: http://naturalsociety.com/eu-committee-wont-renew-glyphosate-69384/#ixzz44GAhduNy Follow us: @naturalsociety on Twitter | NaturalSociety on Facebook

Monsanto may be in trouble in Europe. After months of controversy over disparaging studies concerning Round Up’s main ingredient, glyphosate, the Committee on Environment, Food Safety & Public Health (ENVI) has formally objected  to the re-authorization by the European Commission of the herbicide.

Voting to uphold this objection were 36 members, while 6 members voted against it and 18 did not vote.

So long as serious concerns remain about the carcinogenicity and endocrine disruptive properties of the herbicide glyphosate, which is used in hundreds of farm, forestry, urban and garden applications, the EU Commission should not renew its authorization. Instead, it should commission anindependent review and disclose all the scientific evidence that the s (EFSA) used to assess glyphosate.”

Members also called the herbicide’s re-authorization “irresponsible and unacceptable.”

MEP Anja Hazekamp criticized the European Commission for even considering giving Round Up the green light in Europe:

“With this decision the European Commission fails to protect the health of humans, animals and the environment. Member states and more than 1 million citizens have already expressed their concerns over the re-authorisation. We will use all possible means to prevent the European Commission from contaminating our environment for another 15 years.”

http://naturalsociety.com/eu-committee-wont-renew-glyphosate-69384/

Indian Government Cuts Monsanto’s GM Seed Royalty Fees by 70%

The Indian Agricultural Minister has confirmed that royalties to biotech giant Monsanto for its genetically modified cotton seeds will be capped at 49 rupees (73 cents U.S.) per 450-pack, amounting to a 70 percent reduction from current levels. Monsanto is threatening to ‘pull-out’ in response to the cap.

In an act of sheer defiance against the seed monopolizing company, who also happened to introduce GM cotton seed illegally into the country, the Indian government has also capped GM cotton seed prices at 800 rupees for a packet of 400 grams

Monsanto does business in India under the name Mahyco Monsanto Biotech, or MMB, as a joint venture with Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. The venture allows Monsanto to collect trait fees, a form or royalties.

Indian agricultural minister Sharad Pawar has also admitted in parliament that there is a flourishing illegal market for genetically modified (GM) cotton seeds, strengthening allegations by the industry that more than half of all the GM cotton now growing in the country is from unapproved varieties.

Monsanto and Mahyco have stated they plan to “reevaluate every aspect” of their position in India, suggesting the cut to their ill-begotten royalties would override contracts they have with seed companies

http://naturalsociety.com/indian-government-cuts-monsantos-gm-royalty-fees-6317/

Major Hemp Bill Unanimously Moves Forward in Hawaii

Great news has arrived for small farmers who want to grow industrial hemp (the close, non-psychoactive cousin to marijuana, with both being derived from the cannabis plant). A bill to allow private farmers to grow and sell industrial hemp through permits from the state’s Department of Agriculture (HB 2555) has unanimously passed the Hawaii State House of Representatives and will go to the Senate.

Hemp differs from marijuana because it contains a minuscule amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the substance which gives marijuana psychoactive properties. This new legislation is an enormous sea-change for farmers who have been prohibited from growing hemp due to laws erroneously suggesting that hemp was a drug.

http://naturalsociety.com/hemp-bill-passes-unanimously-hawaii-house-representatives-6542/

FDA Will Likely Release GM Mosquitoes North of Key West

Genetically modified mosquitoes designed to limit the spread of the Zika virus will likely soon be unleashed in the southern United States, as the federal government said today decided to permit a field test in the Florida Keys.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it had made a preliminary determination that the GM mosquitoes are unlikely to harm humans, animals, or the environment.

The agency’s Center for Veterinary Medicine said it found no significant impact for the trial of a method intended to reduce populations of the Aedes aegypti mosquito that spreads Zika, as well as chikungunya, and dengue among humans. The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District wants to conduct a trial of the mosquitoes, proposed by the British biotech firm Oxitec,in a small neighborhood north of Key West. [1]

Oxitec’s GM mosquitoes have already been released in South America, where Zika is expected to sicken an estimated 4 million people by the end of 2016.

http://naturalsociety.com/fda-release-gm-mosquitoes-north-key-west-69879/