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Obama's Cabinet Choices: Eco Friendly or Not?
Greenopia Environmental News —
... , especially those concerned with efficiency and the wiseness of using food for fuel (Vilsack heartily supports biofuels) and the proliferation of genetically modified organisms (GMO's)- he supports those used for pharmaceuticals. The Organic Consumer's Association (OCA) had this (no-holds barred) comment about the nomination of Vilsack: "Obama's choice for Secretary of Agriculture points to the continuation of agribusiness as usual, the failed policies of chemical- and energy-intensive, genetically engineered industrial agriculture," said Ronnie Cummins, executive director ...
More on Vilsack
Grist - the Latest from Grist —
... The Organic Consumers Union offered a less-restrained statement: "Today's announcement that former Iowa Governor, Tom Vilsack, has been selected as the new secretary of agriculture sent a chill through the sustainable food and farming community who have been lobbying for a champion in the new administration. ...
Thoughts on Obama's USDA pick
Energy Bulletin - —
... of Conservation Voters' assessment of Vilsack's environmental record. Under his watch, CAFOs expanded dramatically. In an emailed press release (not yet available online), the group stated: Time will tell if Gov. Vilsack and the USDA will succeed in standing up to factory farms and other corporate ag groups. Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement will continue to hold critical decision-makers accountable to everyday Iowans." The Organic Consumers Union offered a less-restrained statement : "Today's announcement that former Iowa Governor, Tom Vilsack, has been selected as the ...
U.S. Agriculture Nominee Attracts Controversy
Worldwatch Institute —
... for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University.
The nomination angered some environmental groups, mostly from the organic community, because of Vilsack's support for large agribusiness and biotechnology.
"Vilsack's nomination sends the message that dangerous, untested, unlabeled genetically engineered crops will be the norm in the Obama Administration," said Ronnie Cummins, executive director of the Organic Consumers Association, in a press release.
Vilsack signed legislation in 2005 that preempted local cities and ...
So, are we into the White House Victory Garden?
Elisa's Green Scene —
... But there is a valid argument against a White House victory garden, which is that there are larger issues at stake within our government. Planting some symbolic Swiss chard won’t change the fact that the President may have already missed the boat on real food policy change by appointing Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture. Someone who the Organic Consumers Association called “a shill for Monsanto and corporate agribusiness.” Maybe too pretty a garden would draw attention away from the fact that very little is ...
