Actualité
15.07.2008
South African Environment Laws Amendment Bill strengthen GE crop controls
The government has proposed a range of measures such as tougher fines, wider powers of inspectors and the right to expropriate privately held servitudes in a bid to enforce sound environmental practices. The proposals are contained in the draft National Environment Laws Amendment Bill tabled in Parliament yesterday which proposes amendments to a range of environmental laws. [...] New measures to control genetically modified organisms are also proposed in amendments to the Biodiversity Act. The minister may order an environmental impact assessment if the release of such an organism may pose a threat to indigenous species or the environment before issuing a permit.
15.07.2008
Japanese scientists discover why rice plants absorb so much arsenic
Japanese scientists have isolated the two proteins in rice which they contend is responsible for the plant absorbing so much arsenic from the ground. Researchers at the Okayama University’s Research Institute for Bioresources have announced their study, which used experimental rice with the proteins removed, as showing a sharp reduction in the intake of arsenic. ”We used mutant paddy (in which) these two transporters were knocked out and we saw decreased arsenite in both the stalk and rice grain,” said Ma Jianfeng at the Research Institute to Reuters.
11.07.2008
Monsanto patent fight ensnares Missouri farm town
Across rural America, Monsanto is known for aggressive legal efforts to protect its patent. Farmers who save and replant the patented seeds in subsequent growing seasons quickly hear from the company’s lawyers and almost always lose, or settle out of court before trial. Now Monsanto is raising the stakes against this so-called seed piracy with an unprecedented lawsuit against a farm co-op it accuses of aiding the illegal practice by cleaning seeds for use in future crops. That practice violates the contract between Monsanto and farmers which prohibits farmers from stockpiling seeds or selling second-generation seeds.
11.07.2008
”We need a moratorium on Bt cotton and new GM testing” in India
Since April 2 this year, there has been a palpable air of tension at the meetings of the Genetic Engineering Approvals Committee (GEAC) at Paryavaran Bhavan in Delhi. That’s when Pushpa Mitter Bhargava, regarded by many as the architect of biotechnology in India, began attending the meetings of the apex regulatory body on genetic engineering as a special nominee of the Supreme Court. Known for his role in setting up the country’s premier research institution, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad, Bhargava is taken aback by the lax ways of the GEAC and ”going purely on the documentation provided by it” is surprised that no one has pointed out the serious lapses in the testing of genetically modified (GM) crops.
11.07.2008
Do G8 Leaders call for risk analysis on all new seeds?
We fully recognize the need for a wide range of mid- to long-term measures to tackle the issue of food security and poverty, inter alia, the importance of stimulating world food production and increasing investment in agriculture. To this end, we will: [...] accelerate research and development and increase access to new agricultural technologies to boost agricultural production; we will promote science-based risk analysis including on the contribution of seed varieties developed through biotechnology;
11.07.2008
Green light for plan to boost genetically modified crops in China
A plan aimed at cultivating high-yield and pest-resistant genetically modified (GM) crops for the country to achieve agricultural sustainability has been approved, the authorities have said. The State Council announced on its website on Wednesday the approval of the plan, one of 16 key State plans marked by the central government to achieve breakthroughs in their respective fields between 2006 and 2020.
11.07.2008
South Korea to adopt EU-style food testing rule
The government Friday unveiled plans to monitor 95 percent of all foods circulating in the country by 2012 and adopt rigorous EU-style food testing standards. The announcement came immediately after President Lee Myung-bak told the National Assembly that the government will approach food safety from the standpoint of ”national health security.” In order to thoroughly assure food safety, the government will establish a national health organization under the Prime Minister to be comprised of people from non-governmental sectors, President Lee said.
11.07.2008
Agriculture Research Council applies for GE potatoes approval in South Africa
The Agriculture Research Council (ARC) is set to apply to the government for a ”general release” permit for a genetically engineered potato it has developed with US researchers. [...] South African small-scale farmers are particularly vulnerable to the tuber moth, as they have less sophisticated storage methods than commercial farmers, said ARC researcher Gurling Bothma. The SpuntaG2 would help reduce pesticide use, cutting input costs and benefiting the environment, the ARC said this week.
- Business Day, South Africa (07.07.2008): SA farmers may grow ’super-spud’
- Agricultural Research Council, South Africa (07.07.2008): Finally, GM potatoes
- African Centre for Biosafety, South Africa (10.07.2008): Marketing of GM potatoes in SA imminent
- Business Report, South Africa (24.07.2008): Potent potato to boost food security
09.07.2008
EU ministers to debate Bayer’s GM cotton, soybeans
European Union farm ministers will debate next week whether to allow imports of genetically modified strains of cotton and soybeans to be used as food ingredients and in animal feed, a document showed on Monday. If approved, which diplomats say is unlikely, the two GM crops would be grown outside the European Union and then imported as finished products for further processing. Both have been developed by Germany’s Bayer CropScience.
09.07.2008
U.S. researcher develops non-GE antifreeze protein for icecream
The multinational food company Unilever, for example, sells ice cream in the United States, the Philippines and Mexico that includes an antifreeze protein derived from fish. The additive is pending approval in Europe, but strong consumer sentiment against genetic engineering may prevent it from being widely accepted. Damodaran says he believes Europeans and other consumers may take more favorably to a gelatin-based antifreeze, which comes from animal collagen, the same protein source tapped for gelatin desserts such as Jell-O.
09.07.2008
Gates Foundation supports ICGEB to support African biosafety bodies
The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) today announced a US $3 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help support the development of effective safety and regulatory systems for biotechnology in Africa. The project will focus on improving training, information and other support to regionally-based specialists so African countries have the opportunity to safely access scientific advances.
09.07.2008
Far North District Council (New Zealand) supports GE control investigation
GE-Free Northland has welcomed the Far North District Council’s decision to spend $15,000 on an investigation into local control of genetically modified crops and field trials. The council allocated the money in its 2008-2009 Annual Plan as a contribution towards the work of an inter-council working party that is evaluating risks posed by genetically modified organisms. Spokewoman for the group Zelka Grammer is pleased the council has committed funds to the working party, which is made up of representatives from eight Auckland and Northland councils.
09.07.2008
Ghost of Malthus walking again
Scientists across the globe are at work yet again, dealing with the Malthusian apprehensions of likely food shortages from rising population pressures on land. Thomas Robert Malthus, who expounded his theory in the 19 th century, is no more, but his warnings still ring prophetic. Around mid-20 th century, scientists had responded to the warnings by ushering in the Green Revolution that pushed yields. Today, the world, facing another food crisis, awaits another long-term solution to the problem.
09.07.2008
Japanese trading houses struggle to buy non-GE soy from the U.S.
Japanese foodmakers are struggling to secure enough ordinary soybeans as food prices soar and U.S. farmers increasingly turn to GM soybeans. The surging prices enable farmers to rake in profits even with GM soybeans, which used to be less profitable than non-GM soybeans. While non-GM soybeans take more time and manpower to grow, genetically modified soybeans are easier to grow and yield larger crops.
08.07.2008
GE mosquitoes won’t be released yet in Malaysia
Genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes will not be released into the population until all necessary studies and research are completed. Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the study of GM mosquitoes was still under trial as there are several stages to be completed before the release. ”The completed lab test was successful but we will not release the mosquitoes as the findings are still at research level,” he said after opening a health awareness seminar by Malacca Wanita MCA.
08.07.2008
Gaping holes in Indian regulation of GM crops
”Just rolling out the technology is not the answer as an enormous number of people are resistant to it. In the absence of a biosafety mechanism, people are justified in worrying about the impacts of genetically modified technologies.” This certainly is the case in India where protests from a host of voluntary organisations, scientists and farmers has been the norm since Bt cotton made its appearance in 2001. Three public interest litigations (PILs) have been filed since 2002, starting with that of the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology headed by environmentalist Vandana Shiva, followed in 2004 by Suman Sahai’s Gene Campaign and in 2006 by a group of food and environmental activists led by Aruna Rodrigues.
08.07.2008
Idea that GM will solve these short-term problems is ’bullshit’, UK scientist says
Denis Murphy, a leading British expert on biotech, says GM food is very beneficial – but it won’t solve the food price crisis. In June, the UK environment minister, Phil Woolas, told the Independent that it was time for the nation to take a fresh look at the issue of genetically modified (GM) crops in the light of the surge in food prices over the past few months. Yet as Denis Murphy - a leading biotech expert - tells spiked, while a more positive attitude from government is a good thing, the idea that GM will solve these short-term problems is ’bullshit’.
08.07.2008
Australian Agriculture Burke tour to include talks on GM crops, drought, climate change
The Federal Minister for Agriculture, Tony Burke, says he will discuss the benefits of drought resistant genetically modified crops with his his state counterpart today. The West Australian Government has a moratorium on the development of genetically modified crops. Mr Burke is in Western Australia and will hold talks with the State Minister for Agriculture, Kim Chance, before touring the north west. Mr Burke says he is hopeful the WA will reconsider its position on GM crops.
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia (08.07.2008): Burke tour to include talks on GM crops, drought, climate change
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia (27.06.2008): PGA urges Govt to lift GM crops ban
- Australian Food News, Australia (08.07.2008): Burke heads to WA to plead case for GM food
08.07.2008
Australian bee keepers fear GE contamination
MACEDON beekeeper Graham Connell says genetically modified crops could bankrupt his business because there is no state registry on farms using GM. In February the State Government allowed GM varieties of canola into Victoria for the first time. But Mr Connell, with 40 bee hives, said he had no way of knowing which canola farms were GM-free.
08.07.2008
GMO wheat may help solve food crisis, Australian scientist says
Wheat genetically modified to tolerate drought would boost crop yields and may help the world resolve a food crisis, an Australian state researcher said. Australia, forecast to be the third-biggest exporter of the grain, is developing a modified wheat that could be released on the global market in five to 10 years, said German Spangenberg, executive director at Victorian AgriBiosciences Centre. Adoption of GMO wheat, not grown commercially by global producers, is inevitable for food security, he said in an interview in Tokyo.
- Bloomberg, USA (04.07.2008): GMO wheat may help solve food crisis, Australian scientist says
- The Financial Express, India (30.06.2008): Drought-tolerant GM wheat under trial Down Under
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia (19.06.2008): VFF confident of GM wheat customer support
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia (02.07.2008): GM trials upset Wimmera farmer
