Dear don,
Last week, two historic court rulings signaled to the pesticide industry that they no longer have free rein to profit at the expense of human health.
First, a panel of judges ordered EPA to ban Dow’s brain-harming pesticide chlorpyrifos within 60 days. Then a jury ruled that Monsanto must pay $289 million in damages to DeWayne Johnson, whose cancer has been linked to their flagship herbicide, Roundup.
It was quite a week.
The chlorpyrifos win is the outcome of a case we filed with partners way back in 2007, when there was already enough evidence to justify a ban. As I noted in our statement to the press, this court order was a huge win for children, farmworkers, rural families — and science.
The Roundup cancer ruling sets a precedent for the 4,000+ other legal cases against Monsanto that are expected to move forward in the coming months.
Each of these cases is a tremendous victory in its own right. Taken together, they could well mark the beginnings of real change — loosening the grip these corporations have held over food and farming for far too long.
As part of the PAN community, you’ve helped make this happen. From pressing your policymakers to act, to bringing your voice to public conversations, to making generous donations when you can, supporters like you make real progress like this possible.
We know there is much work ahead, but right now we’re taking a moment to celebrate these historic wins — and we invite you to do the same.
With gratitude for all you do, thank you.
