Ronnie Cummins, Scourge of Genetically Modified Food, Dies at 76

Ad Blocker Detected

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.

Ronnie Cummins, a tireless campaigner against genetically modified foods and pesticides, passed away at the age of 76 on May 31, 2021. Cummins was the co-founder and International Director of the Organic Consumers Association, a nonprofit group that advocates for sustainable agriculture, fair trade practices, and consumer rights.

Cummins was born in Texas in 1945 and raised in a small farming community. He learned early on about the importance of healthy, organic food, and this became his life’s passion. After co-founding the Organic Consumers Association in 1998, he spent the next two decades fighting against the corporations that dominate the food industry, and in doing so, he became one of the most well-known and influential activists in the world of sustainable agriculture.

One of Cummins’ most significant victories came in 2012, when he campaigned successfully for the passage of Proposition 37, a ballot initiative in California that would have required food manufacturers to label products containing GMOs. While the initiative ultimately failed to pass, it raised awareness about the issue of GMO labeling and sparked similar efforts in other states.

Cummins also played a key role in the fight against glyphosate, the main ingredient in the herbicide Roundup. He helped to organize the Roundup Risks and Organics Solutions Summit in 2016, which brought together scientists, activists, and public officials to discuss the dangers of glyphosate and advocate for safer alternatives. His efforts, along with those of other activists, eventually led to the banning of glyphosate in several countries, including France, Italy, and Austria.

Despite his successes, Cummins was always aware of the enormity of the task ahead of him. The food industry is controlled by a small group of powerful corporations, many of which have close ties to the government and other regulatory bodies. These corporations have the resources and the influence to shape public opinion and to resist change, and Cummins knew that the fight for sustainable agriculture would be a long and difficult one.

Nevertheless, he remained optimistic and determined throughout his life. He believed that change was possible, and he worked tirelessly to bring about that change. He inspired countless others to join him in the fight against GMOs and pesticides, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations to work towards a more sustainable, healthy, and just food system.

In conclusion, Ronnie Cummins was a true champion of sustainable agriculture and consumer rights. He dedicated his life to the fight against corporate control of the food industry, and his contributions have had a lasting impact on the world. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on through his words, his actions, and the countless people he inspired.