Moms Infiltrate Monsanto Meeting To Plea To Shareholders About Dangers Of GMOs
Last year was very important for the anti-GMO movement. Thanks to independent studies on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) followed by pro-organic activist groups pushing found results into the public eye, more people are now educated about the dangers “frankenfoods” pose to themselves and to others. As a result, Monsanto — the company responsible for GMOs — has been suffering. The Inquisitr reported on the company’s suffering including Monsanto’s shares plummeting over the course of 2014. Not only that, certain countries — such as Russia — are banning both the production and import of GMOs.
Now, there are new reports that show anti-GMO activists were able to infiltrate Monsanto by purchasing shares. As a result, Moms Across America was able to use their submitted shareholder proposal to make their plea at a Monsanto meeting about the dangers of GMOs.
According to an article by Althealth Works, Zen Honeycutt, the founder of Moms Across America, spoke directly to Monsanto shareholders during their meeting in St. Louis on January 30, 2015. Honeycutt’s speech was part of a rally, alongside Organic Consumers Association and SumOfUS (an economic advocacy organization for citizens of corporations). From what is reported, her objective was to educate Monsanto shareholders and executives on the stunning health consequences of the chemical and GMO seed giant’s products. Honeycutt also asked for shareholder support for Item No. 5, Shareholder Proxy Access.
It should be noted that just because Zen Honeycutt was able to present her plea to shareholders, it doesn’t guarantee votes in favor for the pro-organic, anti-GMO cause. For example, Sputnik News reports shareholders overwhelmingly opposed GMO labeling. This vote was truly pivotal because twenty states are currently considering labeling GMOs themselves while Congress and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are being pushed to act on the issue. Robert Fraley, Monsanto’s chief technology officer, made a statement in accordance to GMO labeling in which the company believes it should be voluntary, not required by law.
However, one of Zen Honeycutt’s pleas passed as shareholder proxy access was approved by 53 percent. Summarized, shareholders will be given the right to nominate their own representatives since the board of directors serves as representatives to the shareholders themselves. Monsanto was ellusive when asked if they’d implement it though.
If you want to learn more of what Zen Honeycutt did during the Monsanto Shareholder Meeting, feel free to watch the interview she had right after the meeting.
[Featured Image via Bing; Post Image via Moms Across America]
