January 22, 2013

Dear Editor,

Please allow me a little space in your newspaper to respond/refute the misinformation that Bill Lindo has been spewing with respect to the importation of genetically engineered seeds into Belize. I have tried to ignore Bill in the past, but I cannot anymore. First of all, Prosser Fertilizer (registered agent for Monsanto) has not been involved in any negotiation whatsoever, to convince government to go “full speed ahead” with the importation of genetically engineered seeds. Totally false. Bill, you could have simply called me, before misleading the public with your unfounded propaganda; you have called me in the past to check the facts about seeds, especially corn seeds!

Prosser Fertilizer, along with Monsanto, has no intention of supplying any GMO seeds by May/June of 2013 as suggested by Lindo. Prosser Fertilizer has and will continue supplying the corn and sorghum farmers of Belize with superior hybrid (non-GMO) varieties in the years to come. We have been proudly doing that for several years now. Prosser, along with Monsanto, will only consider the marketing of GMO seeds in Belize after the government has passed the necessary legislations for its importation and cultivation. Both companies are quite happy and contented with the increased performance/yields of the present varieties that are presently being cultivated in Belize.

But for the record Bill, it’s the hundreds of Belizean corn farmers who have been lobbying for the importation of GMOs, not Prosser. Over the past years, farmers have been taking a beating due to the devastating attacks they have been experiencing from both insect and weed infestations in their corn crops. Our local farmers have travelled to neighbouring countries where GMOs are being cultivated and have first hand witnessed the many advantages of planting GMOs. Accordingly, farming GMOs would assist in combating both the severe insect and weed infestations grain growers have been battling over the past several years in Belize.

Presently, farmers have been spraying relentlessly with many different, extremely toxic insecticides and herbicides to protect their crops. This practice has been very hazardous and extremely expensive. Farmers are convinced, Bill, that GMOs would be less toxic to the environment and far more economical. They will be using much less toxic pesticides and spraying far less too, which is the general idea behind GMOs.

Other corrections to Bill’s misleading propaganda: when GMO arrives in Belize (it will someday for sure), farmers will still have a choice to either buy GMOs or continue with their present hybrids. No one will force you to buy only GMOs; the hybrids (by Monsanto) will not be going anywhere. GMOs are commercial in Honduras, and farmers still have a choice there. As for imported corn seeds costing four times more than indigenous seeds, prove that to me Bill. Where can I find indigenous corn seeds to buy anyway?

Again, for the record, both Prosser (Monsanto) and Midwest Steel (Pioneer) have been supplying the small, milpa farmers with hybrid seeds (5 lb. bags) for the past 15 years. Small, milpa corn farmers have been planting Monsanto’s hybrids for many years now and are extremely satisfied! That will not stop! Yes, some farmers (very few) do save their seeds for the next planting season. But those same seeds must be treated with lots of toxic insecticides (from Prosser) to protect them from attack of weevils, worms, rats, etc. Saved seeds are laden with insecticides too, Bill, and sometimes are even more expensive in the longer run.

Bill Lindo also wrongly claimed that GM crops require 250% more fertilizer for the same yield as open pollinated seeds. Nonsense! If this was true Bill, do you think farmers would still be planting GMOs? Do you think Belizean farmers would be clamouring for seeds that require far more fertilizer to produce the same yield? Do you believe farmers are so dumb?

For your knowledge, GM seeds are the same variety as conventional hybrids. They are the same seeds, only with the addition of the BT genes to fight off insects. GMOs and hybrid yields are the same, no extra fertilizer is needed. The advantages of GMO seeds are that you will use same amount of fertilizer, far less chemicals, while producing the same yield. Check the facts, Bill.

Lindo is also spouting that farming GMO seeds will cause a “huge increase in use of fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides.” Nothing is further from the truth. It’s the complete opposite, that’s why GMOs are so popular with the farmers worldwide. If that was the case, farmers would switch back to conventional hybrids, which are still widely, readily available worldwide.

Bill, please, farmers are smart people. Farmers are looking for more economical practices to produce similar or better yields. If GMOs cultivation costs more, it would be dumped immediately by farmers. As I write, it’s costing farmers in excess of $150 per acre to fight off insects, GMO seeds would bring down that cost to less than $40.00 an acre to fight off those same insects, a saving of $110.00 per acre. $110.00 multiplied by 40,000 acres is a whole lot of savings, Bill.

I will agree with Lindo, who is a part-time farmer, that yes, the proper laws and legislations are not in place as yet for the importation of any type of GMOs. Therefore it is illegal to import GMOs into Belize right now. Prosser Fertilizer (Monsanto) is fully aware of this, and therefore has no intention of importing any GMO by May/June 2013; please withdraw that allegation, Bill.

Prosser Fertilizer and Monsanto are presently supplying the Belize agricultural industry with quality corn, sorghum and vegetable hybrid seeds, and yes, will continue doing that in years to come. When the proper laws are passed, we will happily provide the GMOs too; we know the benefits!

Wilmot Simmons
Seed Specialist
Prosser Fertilizer & Agrotec Co Ltd.