U.S. farm organizations challenge Dannon and other food companies

Group says sustainability goals require modern agriculture

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Some of America’s leading farm organizations are banding together to challenge food companies like Dannon, which recently said it would reduce its use of GMOs in dairy cattle feed as a way to reach its sustainability goals.

A letter to Mariano Lozano, head of Dannon’s American operations, was co-signed by groups including the American Farm Bureau Federation,  American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association and National Milk Producers Federation.

In it, the organizations said removing GMOs from the equation is not a sustainable strategy.

“(It) is the exact opposite of the sustainable agriculture that you claim to be seeking,” the letter said. “Your pledge would force farmers to abandon safe, sustainable farming practices that have enhanced farm productivity over the last 20 years while greatly reducing the carbon footprint of American agriculture.”

The letter says Dannon’s Pledge is an attempt to scare customers by using industry jargon.

“It appears to be an attempt to gain lost sales from your competitors by using fear-based marketing and trendy buzzwords, not through any actual improvement in your products,” the letter said. “…Neither farmers not consumers should be used as pawns in food marketing wars."