Actualité
22.02.2010
Syngenta glad to see U.S. wheat industry supporting GE wheat
Agribusiness company Syngenta is encouraged by recent support the U.S. wheat industry has shown for the eventual introduction of genetically modified wheat into the U.S. market, a company official said Thursday. ?We?re looking at it very closely,? Paul Minehart, head of corporate communications for Syngenta told Dow Jones Newswires on the sidelines of the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s annual Agricultural Outlook Forum.
22.02.2010
Protect Monsanto's seeds of growth from antitrust case
Take, for instance, suggestions that the seed industry needs regulation because one company (Monsanto) dominates competition for production of seeds that incorporate that company?s own patented, herbicide-resistant trait or very similar traits. [...] Anyone interested in stable laws and economic growth should hope that officials at Agriculture and Justice recognize what is at stake in their inquiries, and quickly signal their support for innovation and for the intellectual property laws that promote it.
22.02.2010
GM herbicide tolerant crops escalate the herbicide arms race
GM Freeze has reviewed the latest evidence on weeds resistant to one or more weed killers in the report published today. The rapid increase in weed resistance, and the key role played by GM herbicide tolerant (GMHT) crops that encourage farmers to depend on one herbicide (Monsanto?s Roundup), are highlighted. Overuse of Monsanto?s best selling product on monocultures employing zero tillage has created the conditions for weeds to evolve resistance very rapidly.
22.02.2010
American Sugarbeet Growers Association warns of lack of non-GE sugar beet seeds in 2010
U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey White could rule on the matter as early as March 5, the time of year when most sugarbeet farmers traditionally begin planting. ?There?s not enough conventional seed to produce a crop this year,? Luther Markwart, executive vice president of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, told Dow Jones Newswires on the sidelines of the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s annual Agricultural Outlook Forum. Furthermore, last fall, most farmers secured the seed they will need for planting, Markwart said.
22.02.2010
Idaho (USA) farmer takes on Monsanto GE alfalfa
One Idaho farmer will be watching with particular interest when the U.S. Supreme Court looks at genetically engineered alfalfa later this year. Phil Geertson of Greenleaf is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit filed in 2006 by the Center for Food Safety on behalf of Geertson and others who oppose Roundup Ready alfalfa.
- Capital Press, USA (19.02.2010): Idaho farmer takes on Monsanto alfalfa
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (16.02.2010): USDA extends comment period on draft environmental impact statement for genetically engineered alfalfa
- The Organic & Non-GMO Report, USA (01.02.2010): USDA stance on GM alfalfa threatens ?fabric of organic industry?
19.02.2010
Federal funding should help Canadian flax industry
A federal investment of up to $5.9 million in Canada?s beleaguered flax industry is a first step toward regaining credibility in international markets, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said Friday in Saskatoon. The industry has suffered a significant downturn after the European Union (EU) discovered small amounts of genetically modified (GM) material contaminating samples taken from Canadian flax shipments in September.
19.02.2010
Pharming confident of Rhucin Europe approval in 2010 despite EUR 32.1 mill loss in 2009
Dutch biotechnology firm Pharming said it was on track to secure European approval for its key drug product Rhucin, even as it continued to operate at a loss for 2009. Pharming, which produces therapeutic proteins in the milk of genetically modified animals, reported on Thursday a net loss of 32.1 million euros ($44.07 million) in 2009 compared with a loss of 26.2 million in 2008, partly due to lower interest income.
19.02.2010
Bulgaria MPs agree GMO amendments to protect organic farmland
The Bulgarian Parliamentary Committee on the Environment has agreed that GMOs will not be allowed within 7 kms of organic farmland, and 10 kms away from permanent, registered beehive clusters. They also adopted a five-year ban on the cultivation of GMOs for commercial and scientific research in the field. The document was voted before the new law on GMOs was adopted on second reading. The committee has accepted these changes to the Law on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) at the proposal of Evdokiya Maneva, Deputy Minister of Environment and Water.
19.02.2010
Switzerland: Three more years of GM ban
The moratorium for genetically modified animals and plants that has been in force in Switzerland since 2005 is to be extended for a further three years. First of all, the results are expected of a national research programme on the uses and risks of genetically modified plants. In a referendum in 2005, the majority of the Swiss population voted to initially prohibit the use of genetically modified animals and plants for a period of five years.
19.02.2010
Performance Plants (Canada) to close doors, cannot fulfill promise on drought-resistant GE plants
A former Kingston high-tech darling has announced that it is shutting down its Kingston operation for at least the next three months. Performance Plants Inc., a biotech startup that was often seen as the star of the city?s emerging knowledge-based sector, announced late Friday that it was mothballing its Kingston operation for 13 weeks and closing a research and development facility in New York State permanently. [...] The company specialized in research in the area of genetically modified crops, treating them to increase yields, enhance frost resistance and make them less susceptible to droughts.
19.02.2010
Norway says ?no? to genetically modified seeds
His government has said ?no? to genetically modified seeds and other imports ? three applications for GM maize are still pending. He said that His government was pursuing a different route ? increasing crop productivity by releasing the untapped potential of grains to be water-efficient and nutrient-efficient. ?We know we will be challenged by international companies… They have patented their products and want to sell them in Norway,? [the Norwegian Minister of Agriculture and Food Lars Peder Brekk] said.
17.02.2010
Central Institute of Cotton Research (India) warns of problems with Bt cotton
Kranthi, acting director of the Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR) in Nagpur, has warned that poor management of the technology has spawned an abundance of predictable and unexpected problems. The rapid adoption of GM cotton by farmers across the country has coincided with the rise of hitherto unknown insect pests, increased pesticide applications by farmers, and declining cotton productivity over the past three years, he has told the government. [...] ?Cotton is a tricky crop — we should have been more careful,? Kranthi said. ?There are lessons to be learnt from this experience for future genetically modified crops, brinjal or anything else,?
17.02.2010
Why let a debate determine the fate of GM foods?
the debates, in seven cities including Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, were chaotic, nothing more than acrimonious shouting matches between environmental activists and scientists, who say they were not given a fair chance to voice their opinion. One scientist said he had his hand raised for more than half an hour, but was not allowed to speak. Another said he was told he could make a presentation, but was again not allowed to. Others were not even permitted to enter the premises. So are townhalls such as these the best way to discuss matters of serious scientific weight?
- Reuters, UK (11.02.2010): Why let a debate determine the fate of GM foods?
- The Hindu, India (12.02.2010): India giving wrong signal by putting on hold Bt Brinjal, says Biocon
- The Times of India, India (15.02.2010): Chavan bats for Bt brinjal, says it?s safe
- Indian Express, India (15.02.2010): Another minister speaks up, CSIR chief says Bt brinjal 100% safe
- Daily News & Analysis, India (DNA) (16.02.2010): Biotech industry pushes for fiscal incentives, duty exemption
- Indian Express, India (13.02.2010): Sibal?s Bt signal: need to trust science, scientists
- Thaindian News, Thailand (14.02.2010): Going by science, Bt. Brinjal is safe: Prithviraj Chavan
17.02.2010
What an eggplant uproar says about India?s economy
One of the problems, as Minister Ramesh conceded this week, is that the country?s regulatory system lacks the expertise and autonomy required to put decisions beyond reproach. [...] Progress may be slow, but in India?s case, the best rate of growth may not turn out to be the absolute fastest, but the one that takes into account long-term environmental and human costs. A slow-cooked brinjal decision may taste best.
- Time, USA (15.02.2010): What an eggplant uproar says about India?s economy
- Reuters, India (16.02.2010): Debate over GM eggplant consumes India
- SciDev.Net, UK (09.02.2010): GM crops: still not a panacea for poor farmers
- Forbes, USA (16.02.2010): A hungry India balks at genetically modified crops
- The Financial Express, India (16.02.2010): On the side of science
17.02.2010
Bt brinjal and the politics of knowledge
Eight years ago Bob Watson, the senior scientific advisor of the World Bank, found himself standing between two bitter opponents. [...] Watson responded to this tussle by joining hands with the United Nations Development Progam, World Health Organization and other UN agencies to set up a uniquely democratic multi-stakeholder process to study what agricultural technologies will enable every person on earth to be well fed.
- Rediff.com, India (15.02.2010): Bt brinjal and the politics of knowledge
- GRAIN, Spain (01.01.2010): Indian farmers organise to stop Bt brinjal
- Daily News & Analysis, India (DNA) (16.02.2010): Some on Bt panel were promoting own interest
- The Times of India, India (14.02.2010): Consumers should have choice on Bt brinjal
- Hindustan Times, India (12.02.2010): Sowing the right seeds
17.02.2010
Third Indian war of independence averted trough Bt brinjal moratorium
Dr P M Bhargava, one of the most unrelenting opponents of the commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal in India, believes that last week?s decision of the Centre makes the third war of Independence by India unnecessary. ?The first war was in 1857 which we lost; the second one we won and got independence. We would have had to fight the third war of independence if Bt brinjal cultivation was given the go-ahead. We needn?t fight it now,? he said in an interview here.
- Deccan Herald, India (14.02.2010): ?Third war of independence averted?
- ExpressBuzz, India (15.02.2010): Beware of GM crops, patent regimes
- Thaindian News, Thailand (15.02.2010): Canadian Indian scientist pats Ramesh on Bt Brinjal, smells conspiracy
- IBNLive, India (13.02.2010): Like a breath of fresh air
- Daily News & Analysis, India (DNA) (13.02.2010): Experts caution on the introduction of GM crops
- Orissa Diary, India (12.02.2010): Questioning of democratic decision-making on Bt brinjal unfortunate
17.02.2010
?GM isn?t only route to food security? says Indian Environment Minister
A rethink on GM in agriculture: The moratorium has nothing to do with the future of GM technology in agriculture, which is a decision that has been taken at the highest level. GM is an important element, but not the only route to food security. So we are not abandoning GM in agriculture.
- Outlook, India (22.02.2010): ?GM isn?t only route to food security?
- Outlook, India (22.02.2010): Bacteria Curry - The volte-face on Bt brinjal deepens the controversy over GM foods
- The Times of India, India (16.02.2010): Cong sides with Jairam on Bt brinjal
- Indian Express, India (17.02.2010): Panel which cleared Bt brinjal to meet today to discuss ban
- Business Standard, India (12.02.2010): ?Socio-economic impact study on Bt brinjal not done?
16.02.2010
Group lobbies for Farmer Protection Act in New Mexico (USA)
A group of New Mexico farmers and heritage seed advocates are lobbying hard to get a bill through the Legislature that would protect them from liability if their fields are cross-pollinated by patented, genetically engineered seeds. It is the third time farmers have tried to get a similar bill passed, but this time it has the backing of Gov. Bill Richardson, who put it on his call for the session.
16.02.2010
Tanzania eyes court case to stop patenting of sorghum gene
Tanzania is planning to move to court to stop the US and Brazilian governments, jointly with two multinational firms, from patenting a sorghum gene isolated from Tanzanian farms. [...] Tanzania explains that patenting this crop is fatal to its food security, and violates international treaties. It would also increase local food prices as multinational corporations seek to exploit their patent to boost profits by selling sorghum seeds at a high prices at a time when millions of Tanzanians currently living under conditions of abject poverty are struggling to put food on their table.
16.02.2010
Non-GE breeding successes in Africa
Climbing beans suited to rainy high-altitude areas are being distributed in Rwanda after a decade of research. The fifteen varieties, developed by the Rwandan Agricultural Research Institute (ISAR) in collaboration with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), could benefit smallholder farmers in similar areas across Central and East Africa.
- SciDev.Net, UK (04.02.2010): Beans climb to new heights in Rwanda
- International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria (IITA) (01.02.2010): Yam research in West & Central Africa gets EU funding support
- Science Magazine, USA (12.02.2010): Plant geneticist cultivating a future for peanut farming in Uganda
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria (IITA) (13.01.2010): IITA to intensify fight against deadly cassava disease in sub-Saharan Africa supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
