Pubdate: Mon, 25 Jun 2001
Source: Associated Press (Wire)
Copyright: 2001 Associated Press
Author: Betsy Taylor

SIX ARRESTED AT PROTEST OVER MONSATO'S ROLE IN SPRAYING OF COLOMBIA

Six protestors were arrested outside of Monsanto Co. headquarters 
Monday morning during a protest over the company's role in fumigating 
South American fields as part of the war on drugs.

The arrests were made when a few protesters attempted to cross a line
of security and police officers at the company's front entrance.
Plastic restraints were placed on the protesters' wrists, and they
were led away without incident.

Several dozen people met outside Monsanto headquarters in west St.
Louis County this morning, and attempted to turn over a petition with
roughly 2,500 signatures.

It asked Monsanto to take responsibility for its role in the
fumigation efforts in Colombia.

"We're concerned about the sales and production of Roundup Ultra. It's
being indiscriminately sprayed on families and farms, not just on
growing coca plants," said Margaret Hill of the St. Louis Inter-faith
Committee on Latin America.

The fumigation is part of a United States-backed effort at eradicating
the leaf used to make cocaine.

Michael Joseph, who has spent the last nine months in Bogota,
Columbia, with Witness for Peace, said he's seen agricultural fields
destroyed by the product. Colombians are reporting respiratory and
skin problems as a result of the spraying, he said.

Opponents also say the spraying is adversely affecting water, soil and
farmers in the region.

Monsanto spokeswoman Janice Armstrong said the company will not
divulge information about who buys its products. She referred
questions to the State Department and Plan Colombia, which is a $7.5
billion campaign to cut Colombian drug production in half by 2005.

Roundup has a documented history of safe use, as long as it is being
used according to directions, Armstrong said.

She said the decision to make the arrests was one made by the Creve
Coeur police, not by the Monsanto. "The company is happy to have
people express their views as long as it is peaceful," she said.
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