The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis.
“We want to make clothes that don’t hurt people. That means using certified organic cotton . . .” says Tierra Del Forta, Director of Product at Pact Apparel in a recent advertising video . . .
. . . Boasting underwear free of so-called toxic pesticides, sweatshop labor, child labor and GMOs, Pact’s website purports to explain “the problem with clothing.”
One of the biggest. . . problems the panty peddler cites is the high farmer suicide rate in India, which they say is largely due to widespread adoption of “GMO” cotton. . . .
. . . .
The problem of Indian farmer suicide is very real, but Bt cotton is demonstrably not the reason for this complex and ongoing tragedy.
. . . .
Vipul Kulkarni, Communications Manager at Chetna Organic, the farming co-op where Pact’s cotton is sourced, says “We make sure that there are no chemical pesticides used and that the seeds that we use are completely non-GMO. The biggest advantage for farmers is that they get a higher price. . .”
There is a lot to unpack here but the main problems with Kulkarni’s explanation are:
1) Even organic farmers must use pest management techniques, often including chemical pesticides. A 2013 PLOS ONE study found that adoption of Bt cotton has decreased pesticide use and increased farm family incomes.
2) Low market prices are a real problem for Indian cotton farmers, but as I explained in a recent story, that’s largely due to predatory lending and lack of commercial banks in rural areas.
. . . .
Buying these panties isn’t going to save the Indian farmers, even if Pact’s non-GMO, organic, no child labor, no sweatshop labels give you a feel-good buzz with your fresh pair of panties in the morning.
Read full, original post: Are Panties Made From GMO Cotton Causing Farmers To Commit Suicide?
