Genetically Modified Apples Discovered in Washington State Cover-Up

by Sasha / Earth First! Newswire

According to information released through a Freedom of Information Act request, Hearst Newspapers discovered hundreds of violations pertaining to genetically modified organisms. In one secret, experimental apple tree orchard in Washington, Gebbers Farms was cited for infractions including cross-contamination of GM and organic apple trees.

Monsanto was cited more than any other company with 35 notices over the course of three years. All told, 200 notices were given out to a variety of companies, but only 2 penalties were served out.

According to the Global Justice Ecology Project, “This all comes at a time when public opinion and government propaganda about genetically modified foods are clearly at a stand off. Why is it so hard for the U.S. and other governments to back off from GMOs and GE trees when the majority of the population, their constituents, are clearly against it? By letting these pro-GMO companies off lightly, the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service continues to serve as another reminder of the wasteful spending in U.S. government and the unacceptable corporate greenwashing that influences public policy.”

In the third quarter of last year, Monsanto more than doubled its lobbying efforts, spending upwards of $2 million to get their Monsanto Protection Act through Congress. Meanwhile the Obama administration has appointed three former Monsanto apparatchiks to the FDA, USDA, and the US Trade Representative.

Another flagerent violation registered in the report is an instance of “pharming,” where pharmaceutical corn was planted in an ecologically sensitive region of California’s Central Coast.

In his article, Gene-altered apple tested in Washington state, Bill Lambrecht outlines the more stunning infractions including “lost” seeds, and planting GM seeds in areas too close to wildlife and vulnerable ecosystems.