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Armenia Tree Project Issues Statement on Monsanto: Keep Armenia Free of GMOs

WOBURN, Mass.—The Armenia Tree Project (ATP) released a statement on Nov. 7 against the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Armenia.

A young volunteer helps to plant one of the trees grown at ATP’s nursery in Karin Village (Photo: ATP)

“The issue speaks to the value of Armenia’s environment. Worldwide, the trend with Monsanto and GMOs is that the harmful effects on the soil, water, and farm profitability are increasingly exposed,” read a part of the statement, which is available below in its entirety.

Monsanto, a publicly traded American multinational agro-chemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation headquartered in Missouri, has long been surrounded by controversy, especially regarding the company’s role in agricultural changes, its GMO and chemical products, and its history of lobbying government agencies.

On Nov. 1, the United States Embassy in Yerevan hosted a conference focused on Armenia’s agriculture sector with the goal of connecting Armenian agricultural companies with the expertise, products, and technology U.S. corporations Valmont and Monsanto.

Below is ATP’s statement in its entirety.

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In response to news of the U.S. Embassy hosting Monsanto in Yerevan, ATP founder Carolyn Mugar, director of Farm Aid, a U.S. non-profit that works with family farmers, invoked the Precautionary Principle: “When an activity raises threats of harm to the environment or human health, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.”

The first endorsement of the principle was in 1982 by the United Nations General Assembly. This is a good framework for science, innovation and public policy, which the European Union has adopted, leading it to largely reject genetically modified organism (GMO) crop production.

The agribusiness event in Yerevan presents Armenians with an opportunity to talk about the future of Armenia, its food and farming. Who benefits from bringing this company into Armenia? What are the potential environmental, agricultural and food effects of GMO production? Here are just a few of the risks and considerations:

The issue speaks to the value of Armenia’s environment. Worldwide, the trend with Monsanto and GMOs is that the harmful effects on the soil, water, and farm profitability are increasingly exposed.

With your support, ATP is working in the remote villages of Armenia for the long-term benefit of our people. That’s what we stand for. We believe in a strong Armenia with a healthy ecological and economic infrastructure.

Let’s be forward looking. Armenia—with its unique history and character—can seize the opportunity to be a GMO-free country.

Guest Contributor

Guest Contributor

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8 Comments To "Armenia Tree Project Issues Statement on Monsanto: Keep Armenia Free of GMOs"

#1 Comment By Mihran On November 8, 2017 @ 11:09 am

Our corrupt and criminal regime was fully aware that Monsanto is selling its poisonous products since 2006 which has been rejected in all civilised countries.Sadly Monsanto products have been pushed by the US Embassy which has been a disaster in promoting such investments another such investment is Vorotan Hydropower Plant Complex.

#2 Comment By Haig On November 8, 2017 @ 3:27 pm

Keep Monsanto away from Armenia, educate the public to fight any attempt by Monsanto and their supporters to penetrate Armenia.

#3 Comment By Proud to be an American On November 8, 2017 @ 4:32 pm

The concern over both environment and GMOs is commendable. More countries and peoples need to,pressure corporations around the globe on these issues.

Perhaps with this concern Armenia will act to,protect the environment is citizens and visitors breath daily and take steps against the tobacco industry by actively discouraging smoking. Not only does it pose serious health hazards to the smoker, although the smoker chooses to endanger him/herself, but it endangers the innocent- people subjected to secondary smoke and especially infants and small children. Smoking is a filthy and dangerous habit and the government should actively mount campaigns against it.

#4 Comment By joe On November 9, 2017 @ 8:24 am

Its amazing the US embassy pushes the worst cancer heath risk to Armenia. Monsanto is evil and criminal. It peddles an engineered poisonous product and wants to monopolize the food source and is supported by the corrupt Us government. Unfortunately I don’t have much faith in the…self serving Armenian leaders as its customary to sell out for money as sure as ice melts in warm weather.

#5 Comment By H On November 9, 2017 @ 12:02 pm

Yes tobacco and dumping mining residue into the rivers and air. And protecting the workers from cancer causing pollutants.

#6 Comment By Norserunt On November 9, 2017 @ 9:41 am

This is merely one of the many existential threats that comes with seeking close ties with the West. IMF, USAID, EU, NATO or Soros funded “Open Society” operations are no less dangerous. The West is utterly toxic. The West is in decline. Those who seek close ties with Western powers do so at their own peril. Those to blame for this situation in Armenia is the Westernized Diaspora who can’t see past their egos and greedy Armenian politicians who cant see past their bank accounts.

#7 Comment By john On November 9, 2017 @ 10:19 am

Monsanto is an evil creation of the globalists. Must be banned in Armenia.

#8 Comment By H On November 9, 2017 @ 12:05 pm

Where was the Armenian Tree Project all this Time? What has the ATP been using to fertilize the trees they have been planting. Monsanto fertilizers? Worth checking into.