Help Keep A Major Pesticide Lobbyist Out Of The White House

This column recently published a small evaluation of President Obama’s environmental accomplishments (and disappointments) during his first year in office, and while the overall grade for action is hovering some where near a B-, there was one glaring omission from the list.

In a startlingly contradictory move, Obama has nominated Islam Siddiqui to be the US Trade Representative’s Chief Agriculture Negotiator.

The gravity of this decision becomes very clear when you consider Siddiqui’s current job as Vice President of CropLife America, the notorious lobbying group that represents pesticide and genetic engineering companies, including the six multinational corporations that control 75% of the global agrichemical market, Monsanto, Syngenta, Bayer, BASF, Dow and DuPont.

From OrganicConsumers.org:

Before CropLife, Siddiqui was a chemical farming and biotech booster in Clinton’s USDA. It was his bright idea in 1997-98 — rejected by the organic community — to allow GMOs, sewage sludge and irradiation in organic production.

CropLife also is the group that infamously spoke out against the First Lady for planting a pesticide-free organic garden at the White House.

Usually, there is little that can be done to block a Presidential nomination such as this, but in an unexpected move, a republican Senator has put the process on hold for the time being. It’s been widely acknowledged Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) is most likely acting to protect the interests of the tobacco industry in his state.

While environmentalists and organic food advocates might not agree with Sen. Bunning’s intent, it’s important to take advantage of this opportunity to tell the President that this is not a decision that is good for American agriculture and the health of American citizens.

The Organic Consumers Association is just one of 80 groups asking the Senate to refuse to confirm him. The New York Times published an editorial in opposition to Siddiqui. Opposition to Siddiqui’s nomination has recieved national and international coverage, including in this excellent Mother Jones article.

TAKE ACTION by sending a letter to your Senators today!

Image Credit: environmentalgeography.files.wordpress.com

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Chelsea B.

12:49PM PST on Feb 2, 2010

ugh. lobbyists

send a green star

Kurt V.

7:50AM PST on Feb 1, 2010

He would be awful.

Jessica S.

10:26AM PST on Jan 31, 2010

Thanks!

Aimee P.

1:18PM PST on Jan 29, 2010

I checked out the article about CropLife speaking out against the organic garden and had to laugh. It was so ridiculous that there are people in our country who think pesticides make food safer to eat than organic food. Seriously? Where did they get that idea? I read the comments on the article, and everyone agreed it was either a joke, or these people are really stupid.

Anyway, thanks for bringing this to our attention. Not enough citizens are aware of what is going on in the government.

Stuart O.

12:12AM PST on Jan 25, 2010

Calling the citizens of Planet Earth. Please sign the following petitions, as every signiture is converted into those wonderful things you call butterfly points allowing me to plant you some more trees. Also the success of the petitions will help change your world for the better.
Us friendy aliens would love to start coming here for our holidays again!

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/more-allotments/

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/fund-lab-meat

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/support-sea-shepherds-upcoming-bluefin-battles

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/care2-support-sea-shepherd-please

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/higher-fines-for-dog-fouling

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/be-more-generous-with-butterfly-credits

Intergalactic salutations and much heaps of gratitude.
PS: Please; no more alien autopsies. You try selling package tours to earth after that, let alone timeshare schemes.
PPS: The Allotment one is only available in the land mass known as UK. Thanks again.

Daylight C.

5:53PM PST on Jan 24, 2010

Siddiqui will kill us with the intention of feeding us. The wolf is guarding the chicken coop here. obama is disappointing. He has failed to either do his homework, keep his promises, or both. Is he a McCain in sheep's clothing? What are obama's intentions in 2010? He has left many dazed and confused. Please act morally and ethically when choosing leaders. Do not let lobbies and profit-mongering take over honesty and preservation, protection and support for our home ... planet earth. Protect her or lose her. That is obama's first call to duty as president of the "free" world.

Mervi R.

4:07PM PST on Jan 24, 2010

Thsi guy has absolutely no place in the White House! So disappointed in Obama for considering this.

Linda B.

1:52PM PST on Jan 24, 2010

Please people, we have got to keep trying to protect our lands, and keep the pests away. (no pun on the word) :D

Debra C.

11:19AM PST on Jan 24, 2010

Thanks for the great info!

Linda M.

10:58AM PST on Jan 24, 2010

thanks for the article