To: The USDA and the EPA
GMO crops threatening monarch butterflies
Dear USDA and EPA administrators,
The monarch butterfly is in serious trouble. The number of monarchs arriving at their ancient overwintering grounds in Mexico has reached the lowest level on record.
The monarch's sharp decline has been linked to the massive increase in the planting of genetically engineered herbicide-tolerant crops and the accompanying increase in the herbicide Roundup™ (glyphosate) over the last decade. This onslaught of herbicide has decimated milkweed—the only food young monarchs eat.
Without protecting critical breeding habitat, monarch populations stand little chance of recovery. Monarchs are the latest and most visible victims of the chemical-intensive, corporate-controlled, GMO-dominated industrial agriculture system that is harming not only these majestic pollinators, but also the health of people and the environment around the world.
I strongly urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to protect monarch butterflies by stopping the approval of Monsanto’s Roundup Ready™ and other herbicide-resistant genetically engineered crops. I also urge these agencies to promote non-toxic pest and weed management which will benefit farmers, our health, our ecosystems and the precious monarch butterfly.
The monarch butterfly is in serious trouble. The number of monarchs arriving at their ancient overwintering grounds in Mexico has reached the lowest level on record.
The monarch's sharp decline has been linked to the massive increase in the planting of genetically engineered herbicide-tolerant crops and the accompanying increase in the herbicide Roundup™ (glyphosate) over the last decade. This onslaught of herbicide has decimated milkweed—the only food young monarchs eat.
Without protecting critical breeding habitat, monarch populations stand little chance of recovery. Monarchs are the latest and most visible victims of the chemical-intensive, corporate-controlled, GMO-dominated industrial agriculture system that is harming not only these majestic pollinators, but also the health of people and the environment around the world.
I strongly urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to protect monarch butterflies by stopping the approval of Monsanto’s Roundup Ready™ and other herbicide-resistant genetically engineered crops. I also urge these agencies to promote non-toxic pest and weed management which will benefit farmers, our health, our ecosystems and the precious monarch butterfly.
Why is this important?
The monarch butterfly is in serious trouble. The spread of GMO crops and accompanying pesticides have been wiping out the young monarch's key food source, milkweed. But you can help!
Add your name to our petition calling on the EPA and USDA to stop approving pesticide-resistant genetically engineered crops and to instead promote non-toxic pest and weed management to the benefit of farmers, our health, our ecosystems and the precious monarch butterfly.
Add your name to our petition calling on the EPA and USDA to stop approving pesticide-resistant genetically engineered crops and to instead promote non-toxic pest and weed management to the benefit of farmers, our health, our ecosystems and the precious monarch butterfly.