Monthly Online Updates on GE
2008 JULY
- Impossible Coexistence of GM and Organic Cultivation
A new study showed that the cultivation of GM maize in 2 regions of Spain caused a drastic reduction in the cultivation of organic maize, making their coexistence impossible. This is the main conclusion reached in one of the field studies of coexistence in Europe that was carried out by researcher Rosa Binimelis of the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Autonomous Univerisy of Barcelona. She analysed the situation in Catalonia and Aragon, Spain where the commercial cultivation of transgenic crops was introduced in 1998.This study is timely as the European Commision is planning to evaluate how the policy of coexistence has been implemented in the past ten years.
For more info please read from TWN Biosafety Information Center.
Source: www.biosafety-info.net
- GM and Drought Tolerance
This briefing looks at the claims made by proponents of GM crops that the production of transgenic drought tolerant crops is very close to being achieved and that this will lead to a huge increase in the yields of crops needed to "feed the world". It also looks at alternative more sustainable approaches to dealing with chronic and acute water shortages in agriculture and horticulture. read ...
Source: www.biosafety-info.net
- EUROPE'S STANCE ON GM FEEDS BLAMED FOR RISING COSTS
Zero tolerance of GM varieties is being blamed for restricting the flow of livestock feed and raising prices. The claim is made in a report commissioned by, among others, the European Feed Manufacturers' Federation Fefac and Coceral, which represents European traders in grains and oilseeds. But Gill Rowlands, a farmer and member of GM Free Cymru, said EU policy on GM had nothing to do with the escalating price of livestock feed. She said Brazil and Argentina supply almost all the EU's animal feed supplies. read ...
Source: www.redorbit.com
- EU FOOD, GRAIN INDUSTRIES WANT GM "FLEXIBILITY"
Leading companies in Europe's food industry have joined forces with key players in much of the EU grain sector to demand tolerance for small amounts of GM material not approved for EU markets. Europe's food safety chief has already promised to draft a new proposal that would undermine "zero tolerance".
Doug Gurian-Sherman, PhD, senior scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, comments: Europeans are right to be skeptical about accepting assurances of the safety of GMOs regulated and approved in the US [but not in the EU]. The US review of the food safety of GMOs is considerably weaker than the EU system (which itself suffers from some considerable weaknesses). Our Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not actually approve GMO foods as safe, but relies on the assurances of the very companies that produce these foods to decide how to test them. Although FDA performs a review during its voluntary safety assessment, it does not conclude by approving the safety of the food, but reminds the company that it is the company's responsibility to assure that the food is safe. read ...
Source: www.reuters.com
- Experts call for strong regulations on GM crops
Experts have pointed out to conflict of interest on the role played by The Department of Biotechnology. While the new body -- National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority (NBRA)-being proposed by the department DBT would regulate introduction of GMO in the country, the very same department is promoting GMOs. Deccan Development Society, a Hyderabad based NGO has called for a strong regulatory body to control the release of GMO and protect the nation's interests from the monopoly of international biotech lobbies. read ...
Source: www.genecampaign.org