Speaking the truth shouldn’t get the milkman into trouble. But that’s close to what’s happened to Oakhurst Dairy.
Bio-technology giant Monsanto is suing the dairy in U.S. District Court in Boston and demands that Oakhurst stop advertising its milk as free from artificial growth hormones. According to Monsanto, the producer’s advertisements and labels are deceptive because they leave consumers with the impression that milk from cows without the hormones is better than milk from dosed-up cows. Monsanto makes the growth hormones, which prod cows into producing more milk, and says Oakhurst’s marketing hurts business.
For some milk buyers, growth hormones leave a bad taste. Others aren’t bothered. The science is split. The Food and Drug Administration says the recombinant bovine somatotropin, the name of the drug, is safe. Canada and the European Union have banned it.
We’re not going to argue the science at this point. But we do defend Oakhurst’s right to truthfully advertise its product. The company’s label says: “Our Farmers’ Pledge: No Artificial Growth Hormones.” That’s true.
According to the Associated Press, St. Louis based Monsanto had revenues last year of $4.7 billion and is a big-time player in the genetically modified food debate raging in the United States and Europe.
Oakhurst, based in Portland, pays dairy farmers an extra 20 cents per hundred pounds of milk if they sign and have notarized the pledge not to use growth hormones. The company buys milk from farms in Auburn, Farmington, New Gloucester, Turner, North Turner, Sabattus and from others around the state. That extra income to local farmers helps sustain an industry that is in a fight for its life. Milk prices continue to drop and competition from mega-dairies in the Midwest reduce profits for small operators.
Oakhurst should be free to tell the truth. And consumers are free to draw their own conclusions after that. Monsanto should stop its bullying.
New cartoonist
Beginning today, the Sun Journal will begin a month-long trial run of editorial cartoonist Paul Nowak’s work. His cartoons will appear on Thursdays and Sundays.
Nowak is a conservative and adds a distinctive voice to our editorial page. He has been a professional cartoonist since 1993 and does work for CNSNews.com, Scripps Howard News Service and RighToons.com.
We know that some of our readers will love Nowak, and others will hate him. Drop us a note, give us a call or send us an e-mail. Let us know what you think about this guy and his cartoons. At the end of the test, your input will help us decide whether to add his cartoons to our rotation or give him the boot.
dfarmer@sunjournal.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
