Actualité
01.01.1970
Brazilian institution will bring non-GM producers together
The vice-president of the Caramuru Group, César Borges, announced during a meeting of the Industry Federation of the State of São Paulo (Fiesp) the creation of an organization that will unite only companies who work with non-GM soy. ?The name still is being evaluated, but the institution will result from a decision of Grupo Caramuru, Maggi and IMCOPA?, the officer explained. [...] According to the Caramuru representative, the company guarantees its customers the origin of the raw material (Good Manufacturing Practice), risk analysis and critical control points, traceability, certification of food safety and no genetic modification. ?These practices and the production of non-GM add value to the products that we sell.?
01.01.1970
Indian scientist warns on US-Indian agriculture pact
Dr Placid Rodriguez, former president of Indian Nuclear Society and ex Director of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, said the deal comes under the whole gamut of strategic alliance covering defence, space, nuclear and agriculture. [...] ?Our agricultural universities, state universities, ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) laboratories -- they will be completely overwhelmed by giants like Monsanto whose resources are plenty and whose motivation is only monopoly,? he said. After Bt. cotton, now genetically modified brinjal is going to be brought in, Rodriguez said, adding, ?we don?t know what?s next?.
01.01.1970
GE crops in India: Dismantling democracy, science and the public interest
The genetic engineering industry, in particular Monsanto, which controls 95% of all GM seeds sold worldwide, first tried to by pass India?s Biosafety Law when it started field trials without approval of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, the statutory body for Biosafety regulation. [...] That is why when Monsanto - Mahyco started field trials of Bt. Cotton in 1997-98, without approval of the GEAC we initiated a case in the Supreme Court of India to challenge the illegal trials. As a result commercialization of Bt. Cotton was delayed upto 2002.
01.01.1970
Dealing with GM foods in India
More often than not, discussions about India?s policy on genetically modified (GM) crops result in the point being made about how slow the entire process of clearances by the Genetic Engineering Approvals Committee (GEAC) is. One of the reasons for this is that the GEAC does not give credit to tests conducted overseas and insists they be carried out all over again; the alternative approach would be to say that if certain tests have already been conducted in similar agro-climatic zones overseas, the GEAC should assume the same results will obtain in India as well.
01.01.1970
DuPont soybean leadership advances with U.S. approval of GE Optimum GAT trait
DuPont today announced that it has received United States regulatory approval of its proprietary herbicide tolerance trait, the Optimum® GAT® trait in soybeans -- bringing the company a step closer to further extending the performance advantage of its Pioneer® brand soybean seed. [...] The first-ever agricultural trait, developed through proprietary DuPont gene shuffling technology, the Optimum® GAT® trait will provide broader spectrum weed control without compromising crop safety. This includes the ability to incorporate complementary ALS herbicides into a glyphosate program.
01.01.1970
Malawi now approves biotechnology policy
Malawi has become the latest sub-Saharan African country to approve a National Biotechnology Policy aimed to provide a framework for effective implementation of biotechnology programs and activities. The Policy is an answer to a study conducted in Malawi in early 2000 supported by the Africa Biodiversity Network (ABN) to establish the status of Genetic Engineering (GE), Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and GE food aid in Malawi which found that genetic engineering in general and agricultural biotechnology in particular is only at a rudimentary level in Malawi being confined to the second-generation order characterized by tissue culture and application of molecular markers within the University of Malawi.
01.01.1970
Burkina launches Monsanto GMO cotton to boost crop
Cotton farmers in Burkina Faso will soon be planting genetically modified seeds that could boost output and cut costs after the government became the first in West Africa to approve GMO cotton for general use this week. [...] Two strains of Bt cotton, both developed from local varieties, have been approved for production and general sale, Zourata Lompo, director of Burkina Faso?s National Biosecurity Agency (ANB) told a news conference on Thursday. ?This year we have authorised 15,000 hectares for seed production and if the socio-economic evaluation by our field workers is conclusive there is no reason why next season we won?t move to generalised production of genetically modified cotton,? Lompo said.
01.01.1970
The GE tomato ?vaccine? that could prevent Alzheimer?s
Tomatoes could be used as a vaccine against Alzheimer?s, scientists claim. They have genetically modified the fruit to create an edible vaccine that fires up the immune system to tackle the disease. [...] Blood samples taken from the mice revealed the tomatoes triggered their immune systems to release disease-fighting antibodies, although the levels of plaques in the brain were not reduced.
01.01.1970
Brazil coop Coamo plans to produce GMO corn this year - CEO
Brazil?s largest agricultural cooperative, Coamo, plans to starting producing genetically modified corn this year, Coamo?s president said this week. ?We?ll use genetically modified corn for the first time,? Coamo President Jose Aroldo Gallassini told Dow Jones Newswires. Coamo plans to produce 7,000 60-kilogram bags of corn in 2008-09 by using modified genetically modified seeds across the cooperative, Aroldo said. Coamo produces mainly soy, corn and wheat across Parana state, the leading corn- growing state in Brazil, as well as in Mato Grosso do Sul and Santa Catarina states.
01.01.1970
GM feed in free range egg production: UK retailers policies are no longer sustainable
For the last few years Britain has observed an uneasy truce between those who refuse to accept that there is any place for genetically modified crops, and those who would like to see greater use made of advancing biotechnical knowledge. However, the current situation of escalating feed costs and talk of world food shortages has finally driven UK politicians to acknowledge that the debate should now be re-opened.
01.01.1970
Unleashed: A bright GM farming future in Australia
I am one of about 120 farmers from NSW and Victoria excited to be involved in the small-scale roll-out of Australia?s first genetically modified (GM) canola varieties. Two GM canolas were approved for commercial use by Australia?s federal gene technology regulator in 2003 following a rigorous, science-based assessment, but state government bans across the country, based on market issues, have prevented farmers from accessing these new plant varieties until now.
01.01.1970
A time to sow? GM food could curb cost of staples
So widely are genetically modified crops now grown around the world, for use in animal feed and as processed food ingredients, that feed importers in Europe and Asia are finding it difficult to supply customers who want non-GM soya or maize. ?You have to pay 10-15 per cent more for non-GM corn ? if you can get it at all,? says Ross Korves, a leading US agricultural economist. As world food prices surge and shortages loom, genetically modified crops look increasingly tempting as a way to raise agricultural yields without using more energy or chemicals. Even in Europe, where GM crops have faced the strongest public resistance, more politicians, experts and farmers? leaders are speaking out in their favour. Sir David King, the UK government?s former chief scientist (pictured below), is one who says GM is the only technology available to solve the world food price crisis.
01.01.1970
An emphatic No to GM foods and crops in Nigeria
There is a good deal of reason why we should be perturbed with the rather flippant manner in which the Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs. Grace Ekpiwhre, is treating the issue of the introduction of Genetically Modified Crops (GM crops) into Nigeria?s agrarian system. [...] Whatever is the personal opinion of Mrs. Ekpiwhre, the issues at stake pertaining to GM crops are of such magnitude that there must be wide ranging public debate and indeed a public enquiry with internationally acclaimed experts and relevant committees of the National Assembly involved, examining the pros and cons. In the first place, the Minister was wrong making such a categorical statement without establishing whether there was a supportive legislation on the subject or not.
01.01.1970
Romanian Greenpeace draws 59 meters anti-GMO crop circle
8 Greenpeace activists finished drawing a 59-meters wide crop circle on Thursday, sending their message against the genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The circle was made in an ecologic corn field in Salonta (West Romania, Bihor county), organizers claiming that the Government has a last chance to save the agriculture, the environment and the populace health from the risks related to the MG MON810 corn produced by the American company Monsanto.
01.01.1970
Polish animal breeders and food producers urge to postpone GE feed ban
Polish animal breeders and food producers have appealed to the president to sign a law which would delay the introduction of rules banning the use of genetically modified animal feeds. Unless the president signs an amended law, which will postpone that moment until the end of 2012. The president of the National Poultry Council Romuald Paczkowski says a ban on feeds containing GMOs would cause poultry prices to increase by an average 10 percent. Each day without the amended law in place is causing losses because feed producers do not know whether to contract feeds which will be banned after September 12.
01.01.1970
Extensive patent on pigs issued by the European Patent Office
The European Patent Office in Munich is today granting an extensive patent (EP 1651777) on a method of breeding pigs despite international criticism and lack of clarity on the patent?s legality. According to Greenpeace?s analyses the genetic conditions described in it occur in all European pig breeds. The claims have been formulated in such a way that not only do they include the breeding method; the patent owner can in a dispute also make claims on pigs themselves and all their progeny. Greenpeace will lay an objection to the patent because it is in violation of the ban on patenting ?mainly biological processes? for breeding.
01.01.1970
?Genetically modified food good for Nigeria?
At a recent roundtable Conference on the introduction of Genetically Modified Crops in Nigeria, the Minister of Science and Technology Chief (Mrs.) Grace Ekpiwhre almost shouted blue murder about the looming food crises in Sub-Saharan Africa. [...] In the specific case of Nigeria, the current agricultural growth is put at a meager 4.5% which is far below the ever increasing food demands of our rising population. As a way of short-circulating the problem, Mrs. Ekpiwhre made a strong case for the utilization of transgenic crop technology for increased agricultural productivity, better nutrition and improved crop resistance to pests and drought.
01.01.1970
Australian organic food industry calls for improvements to labelling of GM food
A major Australian organic food producer, Pureharvest, located in Drouin West Gippsland is calling on Food Standards Australia and New Zealand to match world?s best practice in GM food labelling. Pureharvest Managing Director Don Lazzaro says ?Our clients are demanding comprehensive labeling when it comes to GM food. They want to know where there food is coming from and how it has been produced.? Mr Lazzaro says that GM food awareness has grown dramatically in Australia over the last few years and that this reflects a worldwide trend.
- Seeking Media, Australia (17.07.2008): The organic food industry calls for improvements to labelling of genetically modified food
- Australian Food News, Australia (16.07.2008): Consumers willing to pay more for label clarity
- Deloitte, USA (09.06.2008): Food recalls spoiling consumers? appetites for a range of foods, Deloitte survey finds
01.01.1970
U.S. farmers amend GE contamination lawsuit against Riceland
Twelve Arkansas farmers have amended their individual claims against Riceland Foods regarding the contamination of the general rice supply by genetically modified (GE) rice during a development process in conjunction with Bayer CropScience, formerly Aventis. The original claim was Riceland is responsible for profit loss due to the contamination of the rice supply through various measures taken by Riceland Foods and Bayer CropScience in 2006. Now, the lawsuits, which are separate from the class-action lawsuit filed July 2, allege not only did Riceland Foods have an effect on the market, it played a key role and had greater knowledge of contaminated Arkansas rice crops than was earlier reported, as well as assisting with planning, testing and growing of GE rice.
01.01.1970
Indian scientists warns on US-Indian agriculture pact
Dr Placid Rodriguez, former president of Indian Nuclear Society and ex Director of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, said the deal comes under the whole gamut of strategic alliance covering defence, space, nuclear and agriculture. [...] ?Our agricultural universities, state universities, ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) laboratories -- they will be completely overwhelmed by giants like Monsanto whose resources are plenty and whose motivation is only monopoly,? he said. After Bt. cotton, now genetically modified brinjal is going to be brought in, Rodriguez said, adding, ?we don?t know what?s next?.
