Diversity in the News
05.11.2008
US biotech firms target Philippines for introduction of new GE corn
US-based biotechnology companies Dow AgriSciences and Monsanto are now eyeing markets for more potent and pest-resistant GM corn after having successfully marketed the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn since 2003. Bt corn has the sole trait of being Asiatic corn-borer resistant. Before even setting foot in other Asian countries, biotechnology companies have already seen opportunities in starting out in the Philippines. The country is internationally recognized for having a more established regulatory policy on biotechnology.
05.11.2008
Government of Pakistan & Monsanto jointly propose new Bt Cotton Technology
Pakistani authorities are in favor of introducing Bt cotton cultivation, but through formal means. Cotton growers in the country have also been persistently demanding the availability of formally approved Bt cotton varieties for improving per hectare yield. For the purpose, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock has been working on a two pronged strategy. Developing the technology through indigenous capabilities as well as inviting the Multi-national Companies to bring in the technology in the country.
- Fiber2Fashion.com, India (04.11.2008): MINFAL & Monsanto jointly propose new Bt Cotton Technology
- Associated Press of Pakista, Pakistan (05.11.2008): Pakistan’s cabinet approves ratification of Cartagena Protocl
- Pakistan Tribune, Pakistan (29.10.2008): Monsanto working on sustainable model for Bt cotton
- Pakistan Ledger, Pakistan (30.06.2008): Pakistani cotton seeds in the hands of US corporations
04.11.2008
Indian oilseeds output set to rise 5%
”Genetically modified seeds are the only option left to raise output in India. Engineered seeds have already proved successful across the globe. Therefore, India should also start using GM seeds for higher yield and reduce reliance on imports,” says Dorab Mistry, Director of Godrej International.
04.11.2008
The GM genocide: Thousands of Indian farmers are committing suicide after using genetically modified crops
Shankara’s crop had failed - twice. Of course, famine and pestilence are part of India’s ancient story. But the death of this respected farmer has been blamed on something far more modern and sinister: genetically modified crops. Shankara, like millions of other Indian farmers, had been promised previously unheard of harvests and income if he switched from farming with traditional seeds to planting GM seeds instead.
04.11.2008
Change in the roots - GE ayurvedic herbs developed in India
GM technology is moving beyond traditional food crops to create GM herbs and GM trees. Ayurvedic herbs like Ashwagandha, Jivanti and Brahmi have been genetically engineered. Scientists say GM herbs have enhanced medicinal properties. Ayurveda however sees a plant in its totality and not for one quality. Can Ayurveda really be compatible with genetic modification?
04.11.2008
World’s first blue GE roses after 20 years of research
The world’s first blue roses have been unveiled following nearly two decades of scientific research. The blooms are genetically modified and have been implanted with a gene that simulates the synthesis of blue pigment in pansies. The flowers, which were displayed at the International Flower Expo Tokyo, will go on sale commercially next Autumn.
04.11.2008
Oregon (USA) organic farmer plans legal challenge against GE beets
An organic farmer from Philomath, Ore., says he plans a legal challenge to genetically modified crops because he fears contamination. Frank Morton says he is concerned about modified sugar beet seeds that scientists with agricultural giant Monsanto have tweaked to resist Roundup, the company’s most popular weed killer. Oregon doesn’t grow many sugar beets, which supply half of the nation’s sugar. But it turns out Oregon’s Willamette Valley is nearly the sole supplier of U.S. sugar beet seeds.
04.11.2008
Mayor tries to stop Hawaii County Council ban on GE taro and coffee
Big Island Mayor Harry Kim vetoed a bill yesterday that would make it a criminal violation punishable by a $1,000 fine to research or grow genetically engineered coffee or taro on the Big Island. The bill was passed 9-0 by the Hawaii County Council on Oct. 8, meaning there are more than enough votes to override the veto. Kim cited two general concerns: that police cannot enforce such a law and that the world needs research on genetically modified crops to ensure food supplies.
03.11.2008
Fears hay-cutting will lead to escape of GM canola in Australia
There are worries that the hay from genetically modified canola may contain seeds that will escape and grow. A lack of rain has forced some farmers to cut their crops, instead of harvesting for oilseeds. Fodder dealers may purchase the hay and then sell it to farmers who are unaware where the product came from. Alex Schaap, general manager of biosecurity at the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, says he didn’t expect segregation issues in the first year of GM canola in NSW and Victoria.
03.11.2008
Strong support for rally against GM crops in Western Australia surprises backers
A RALLY against the introduction of genetically modified crops drew nearly 1000 people to the steps of the WA Parliament today, organisers have claimed. Farmers attending brought along goats, chickens and even a prize-winning bull, the Conservation Council of WA said.
It said their message was that GM crops not only risked WA’s reputation as a clean, green state but might also have consequences for human health.
- The Sunday Times, Australia (30.10.2008): Rally against GM crops surprises backers
- Farm Online, Australia (31.10.2008): GM trials for WA
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia (30.10.2008): GM protesters rally at WA parliament
- Conservation Council of Western Australia, Australia (30.10.2008): Hundreds gather on steps of parliament to Say No to GMO!
- Farm Weekly, Australia (05.11.2008): Anti-GM rally hits Perth streets
03.11.2008
Extra-nutritious bioengineered foods stilly away
For years, advocates of agricultural biotechnology have promised a future in which foods will be genetically engineered to give more nutrition and to prevent chronic diseases, in which crops will be modified to thrive in salty soil or hot or dry climates and in which consumers will benefit directly from science’s ability to tweak other characteristics of plants. So far, however, that has generally not happened, and the main beneficiaries of agricultural biotechnology remain farmers battling pests and weeds that threaten staple crops such as soybeans, corn and cotton, as well as the companies that develop and produce genetically modified seeds.
03.11.2008
Why Europe should rewrite the GE crop rule book
There are signs in Europe that we are beginning to realise that we can no longer take cheap food, or even food security, for granted, and that there may indeed be real potential benefits to be derived from the adoption of GM technology. So perhaps now is the time for us to catch up with the rest of the world where these crops are, with great benefit, being grown over substantial areas, and to reexamine critically the regulatory framework that we have erected.
03.11.2008
Europe’s animal feed is running dry, warn importers
The European livestock industry could run out of animal feed in less than 18 months owing to the EU’s ”unworkable” approach to genetically modified (GM) crops, feed importers have warned. The EU is now so out of kilter with the rest of the world with its zero tolerance stance on imports of feedstocks containing unauthorised GM materials that sourcing ’legal’ feed could become almost impossible by 2010, according to the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC).
03.11.2008
EU panel OKs 2 genetically modified corn products
The European Union’s food safety agency approved two genetically modified corns Friday, putting renewed pressure on EU nations to drop their objections to the use of biotech crops. Scientists at the Parma, Italy-based European Food Safety Authority, or EFSA gave clearance to a Bt-11 corn seed made by Switzerland’s Syngenta AG and the 1507 corn made by the U.S.-based Pioneer Hi-Bred and Dow Agrosciences. [...] The EU agency also said a French ban on another GM corn product, produced by U.S. biotech giant Monsanto Co., was unjustified.
- The Associated Press, USA (01.11.2008): EU panel OKs 2 genetically modified corn products
- Reuters, UK (31.10.2008): EU agency confirms two GM maize types are safe
- European Voice, Belgium (31.10.2008): French ban on GM crop ’unjustified’
- Greenpeace European Unit, Belgium (31.10.2008): Greenpeace calls on Commission to shut down EFSA GMO panel
31.10.2008
Castlegar city (British Colombia, Canada) urged to go GE Free
The Genetically Engineered Free Kootenays Society proposed to Castlegar city council to pass a resolution to make Castlegar a genetically engineered-food free zone. The presenters, Kim Charlesworth and Jon Steinman, explained to council a vast majority of genetically engineered (G.E) crops currently commercialized are designed to be resistant to an herbicide which is also developed by the same company who developed the seed.
31.10.2008
Zambia does not change position on GMO ban
Govt Zambia’s position on Genetically Modified Products has not changed. Lusaka Province Minister, Lameck Mangani, says government will not allow Genetically Modified (GMO) products into the country. Mr. Mangani says there is need to continue protecting the country from the danger posed by GMO products.
31.10.2008
Zimbabwe to screen seed imports on GMOs
The Ministry of Agriculture will inspect seed and fertilizers coming into the country to detect genetically-modified organisms, a Cabinet minister said yesterday. The ministry recently announced that it would start issuing out temporal licences to individuals willing to import agricultural inputs such as maize seed and fertilizers. Agriculture Minister Mr Rugare Gumbo said there was a high possibility of modified seed coming into the country.
31.10.2008
Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency raids stores for unapproved GE food stuff
[Food and Drug Monitoring Agency] raided several imported-food stores in Jakarta, some of which had more than half their inventory seized and destroyed. [...] ”There are certain things acceptable in other countries that are not acceptable to us,” she went on. ”Genetically modified food, for instance, may be acceptable to the U.S. public but not to the Indonesian public. And we can only find out about that from the production flows.”
31.10.2008
Maize contaminated with transgenics in Chile
The Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA) at the University of Chile has detected genetically modified organisms in four samples of conventional maize grown near fields where transgenic maize seeds are being produced for export. ”These results are extremely serious. The question is, who will take responsibility? Who will pay for this contamination?” María Isabel Manzur of the non-governmental Sustainable Societies Foundation (FSS), which along with the Sustainable Chile Programme contracted INTA to analyse 30 maize samples, told IPS.
31.10.2008
Monsanto battles biopiracy claims over Indian Bt-gene
India is asking the local arm of multinational Monsanto Co. to pay a royalty for genetic information that forms the basis of a genetically modified seed sold by the firm here because it believes this information is that of a bacteria found in Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board, a statutory body set up by the Union government under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, is seeking royalty payments from Monsanto India Ltd for genetic information it alleges was ”stolen” from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria found in the soils of Mahanandi village in Kurnool district.
