![\"monsanto_arson_fire_france\"](\"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/monsanto_arson_fire_france.jpg\")
Maryland \u2014<\/i> Earlier this week, a Monsanto research facility in France was burned to the ground. Monsanto and investigators suspect an arsonist was responsible for the blaze.<\/p>\nMaryland \u2014<\/i> Earlier this week, a Monsanto research facility in France was burned to the ground. Monsanto and investigators suspect an arsonist was responsible for the blaze.<\/p>\n
Monsanto representative Jakob Witten told Reuters that investigators<\/a>\u00a0\u201cstrongly suspect it was a crime as no electrical or other sources were found.\u201d<\/i>He added that\u00a0\u201cNo Monsanto sites in Europe have so far been the victim of fires of criminal origin, this is unprecedented violence.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n The fire had multiple points of origin, meaning it is unlikely the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction or other natural causes. Investigators also noticed a strong smell of gasoline in different areas of the site.<\/p>\n France announced in June that it was banning sales<\/a> of Roundup, Monsanto\u2019s flagship herbicide, amid public pressure and the World Health Organization\u2019s announcement that the product is probably carcinogenic.<\/p>\n Further, last month the country announced<\/a> it was strengthening its ban on genetically modified crops.<\/p>\n Monsanto is one of the most hated corporations on the planet and faces particularly strong resistance in France<\/a>. If the fire is confirmed to have been arson, it is possible this vociferous opposition might have been a motivating factor.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, the recent fire is merely the tip of the iceberg with regard to Monsanto\u2019s recent problems.<\/p>\n The company recently moved to close three different research facilities to save money in the face of declining profits. As Reuters reported last week<\/a>, Monsanto research centers in Middleton, Wisconsin, Mystic, Connecticut, and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, will soon be closed to cut costs.<\/p>\n Last month, the infamous company announced it would be cutting 2,600 jobs<\/a> \u2014 12% of its workforce \u2014 in order to lower costs. Monsanto also announced a loss of 19 cents per share in the most recent quarter. Profits are expected to remain low throughout the year.<\/p>\n