[UrbanCropCircle] controversy over Seminis seeds sold by Territorial

[Susan Helf]

Dear fellow gardeners,
After doing further research, I realize that I was mistaken in believing
that Territorial Seed Co is
owned or controlled by Montsanto. In 2005, Montsanto purchased Seminis,
which is a long-time
provider of seeds to Territorial. Territorial remains an independent
company, but continues to sell
Seminis seeds.

The owners of Territorial posted online responses to concerns gardeners had
expressed about the company's
association with Seminis. The owners wrote that they oppose GMO seeds and do
not sell such seeds.
I believe them. The owners also wrote that they intend to limit the
varieties of Semanis-supplied seeds they sell.
I appreciate their desire to provide their customers with popular seeds from
Seminis, including many well-loved
tomato seeds. I have no desire to slander Territorial, which is an important
seller of heirloom/open-pollinated seeds.

However, like many other growers of organic produce,  I am deeply troubled
by Territorial's continued business
relationship with Seminis, which is a legal part of Montsanto. For me,
buying seeds from a company that
derives some of its profit from Montsanto products creates a serious ethical
dilemma.

Fedco, a former seller of Seminis Seeds, was so concerned about the
Seminis/Montsanto link that it dropped
Seminis as a supplier. I support its decision completely. You can read
FedCo's statement here:

http://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/monsanto.htm

I'm  sure most of you know that Montsanto is one of the world's largest
chemical companies. It created
DDT and *Roundup. * Montsanto produced Agent Orange, which the US sprayed on
the jungles of Viet Nam
during our war with that country. Montsanto created bovine growth hormone,
which it persuaded most dairy
farmers to use despite the serious threats BGH poses to bovine and human
health.

Several years ago, Oregon's Tillamoook Creamery began rejecting milk from
farmers using BGH.
Before Tillamookl made that decision, I refused to buy their products. Now I
buy nearly everything Tillamook
sells and encourage others to do so.

Montsanto controls the largest share of the international seed market, and
is deeply involved in developing and selling
gentically-modified seeds. Most of the corn, cotton and soybeans grown in
this country are from genetically-modified
seeds developed or controlled by Montsanto.

The fact that Montsanto doesn't own or control Territorial is morally and
ethically beside the point. Territorial
makes part of its profit selling seeds from Seminis, which is owned by
Montsanto.
Territorial helps make money for Montsanto. When we buy seeds from
Territorial, we help enrich Montsanto.

Do we want to support one of the most dangerous and destuctive companies in
the world?
We can't stop Montsanto's destructive behavior, but why would we want to
financially support it?
I will write to Territorial and urge them to follow the example of FedCo,
and refuse to sell Seminis seeds.
Once Territorial severs its relationship with Seminis, I will gladly buy
their seeds again.

Fedco and Tillamook made tough decisions which benefited their bottom line,
their customers, and food safety.
I hope Territorial will have the courage to do the same.

Susan Helf
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