David Sousa

Q: If I admit that I have totally stopped buying any product that contains soy or corn or their byproducts, unless they are certified organic, and that I am growing as much of my own food as possible without using any pesticides, are you going to send offici

Answered By David Sousa - Oct 31, 2013

A: No, of course not.  We respect your right to choose the food products that are best for you and your family.  Home gardening is a passion of mine as well!  However, if you are concerned because you’ve read an article or a comment on a blog post that suggests otherwise, I’d suggest you read these responses to similar questions we’ve answered on the site:  http://gmoanswers.com/ask/why-do-you-continue-sue-innocent-farmers-about-seeds-why-do-continue-monopolize-food-industry         http://gmoanswers.com/ask/you-say-your-companies-are-helping-far [...]

Business Practices GMOs & Farmers

Q: What will be done to avoid unsafe uses of GMOs, such as herbicide resistant GMO crops which allow for increasingly potent herbicides to be used, destroying environments and threatening consumers health?

Answered By David Sousa - Aug 15, 2013

A: GM crops and crop protection chemicals are among the most highly regulated agricultural tools. The U.S. EPA evaluates the use of herbicides on both GM and non-GM crops and any potential effects on the environment, farm-workers, livestock, and consumers. In addition to U.S. EPA evaluation, the FDA reviews GM crops for their equivalence to non-GM versions and their safety for use in food and feed, and the USDA reviews these crops for their effects on the environment and on U.S. farm practices. For GM crops that provide protection from pests, the U.S. EPA registers the products after thoroughly [...]

Environment Crop protectants

Q: Why are Biotech companies involved in producing seeds and food appear deaf and blind to the majority of peoples concerns? Is this due to deficiencies in Federal Regulatory Oversight of Genetically Engineered Crops ?

Answered By David Sousa - Aug 14, 2013

A: As the primary job of biotech companies is to ensure that the safety of new GM crops has been thoroughly evaluated, companies, admittedly, have not done a very good job about communicating with the general public about GM crops. Generally, our responses have been too technical and have not really spoken to some of the concerns. GMO Answers is an attempt at a new start, aimed at first listening to people's questions and then trying to respond to them directly and as straightforwardly as we can. These responses come from researchers, agronomists, regulatory specialists and other company employe [...]

Business Practices GMOs & Farmers

Q: How does your company give back to the communities and farmers who welcome the chance to grow crops for you?

Answered By Aimee Hood - Aug 27, 2013

A: All of us at Monsanto are very active and proud in supporting the communities where we operate and where our farmer customers live. In 2012, Monsanto Company and Monsanto Fund―our philanthropic arm―collectively provided more than $32.2 million across the globe. Additionally, more than 4,600 employees logged more than 54,000 volunteer hours in the Americas alone.Following are a few additional details and examples of our efforts: Monsanto Fund is focused on one goal: strengthening farming communities and the communities where our employees live and work. In 2012, Monsanto Fund distributed [...]

Answered By David Sousa - Aug 27, 2013

A: Corporate Citizenship is critical to how Dow interprets and responds to external sustainability and responsibility expectations. Dow AgroSciences, the Dow Chemical Company and the Dow Chemical Company Foundation provide charitable gifts to eligible non-profit organizations in the communities where Dow operates that contribute to community success, support sustainability, foster science in society and stimulate innovation. Established in 1979, the Dow Chemical Foundation contributes to a more sustainable world by supporting charitable initiatives focused on community success, science education [...]

Answered By Wendelyn Jones - Aug 27, 2013

A: At DuPont Pioneer, we are proud to give back to our communities. It's important to us to invest in the many neighborhoods around the globe where our customers and employees live and work. Among other commitments, we provide volunteer resources and financial contributions to help improve farmer safety, young-farmer opportunities, food quality and access, and education at all levels. For example, we contributed important sorghum research in Africa to increase the amount and stability of pro-vitamin A, iron and zinc, and also to improve protein digestibility. This is important, considering nearl [...]

Answered By Paul Minehart - Aug 27, 2013

A: At Syngenta, our focus is on helping feed the growing world population by helping farmers around the globe grow more from less—­less land, water, fossil fuel, carbon release and other impacts to the environment and people. Check it out here. Many of our 27,000 employees volunteer, and the company funds mainly conservation, agricultural education and related efforts around the world. Also, the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture works in developing countries and emerging markets to help small farmers both feed their families and contribute to global food security. We [...]

Business Practices GMOs & Farmers

Q: Are seedless watermelons GMO?

Answered By David Sousa - Aug 14, 2013

A: A common question in relation to GMO produce is ‘are seedless watermelons genetically modified’?  The answer is no. There is no such thing as a GMO watermelon. Instead, seedless watermelons are hybrid plants that are created by cross-pollinating a male watermelon with a female watermelon flower.  Seedless watermelons were first produced by a plant geneticist named O.J. Eigsti in the 1940s. However, they didn’t take off until around 40 years later, when the idea was reintroduced and marketed to grocery store chains. Once Americans’ had got their first taste of watermelons withou [...]

GMO Basics How GMOs Are Made

Q: how long after you spray 24d do you have to wait before planting grass hay

Answered By David Sousa - Dec 13, 2016

A: In all cases, users of a pesticide should refer to the affixed product label prior to use. This label should contain advice about planting restrictions. If this label isn’t available or questions remain, the user should contact the manufacturer of the product to obtain information about the proper application, restrictions and safety of the specific product prior to its use. [...]

GMOs & Farmers