News

2014-10-06 |

Little progress, conflict of interests & unabated unintentional transboundary movements

Closing Statement by Civil Society at COP-MOP7

While we welcome the continued work on risk assessment and socio-economic considerations via the continuation of two AHTEGs, progress on these issues is regrettably still too little, very late and largely repetitive.

These issues are of central importance to the Protocol, and to many Parties’ implementation of biosafety. There must be no more delay in developing further guidance and guidelines in order to assist Parties in their implementation of the Protocol. Implementation is crucial to safeguarding biological diversity, human health, and the well being of peoples everywhere.

In the composition of the two extended AHTEGs, civil society demands that potential conflict of interests (including financial and other vested interests) are transparently declared and scrutinized, and that the appropriate steps are taken to avoid conflicts of interest unduly influencing decisions.

We wish to remind Parties that the work of the socio-economic AHTEG must be within the scope and objective of the Protocol, which is to contribute to ensuring an adequate level of protection with regards to LMOs that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health. The issue of the benefits of modern biotechnology is not within the scope, nor in line with the objective of this Protocol.

2014-10-06 |

Iroquois non-GMO White Corn Project

The sight and sound of Iroquois white corn being roasted and turned is the progress of a culture bringing back traditional food for health and tradition. It's a food used widely by the Iroquois for at least 2,000 years. (.....) For first time in 300 years, 3.5 acres of Iroquois white corn is available at Ganondagan. The Iroquois White Corn Project was started by Dr. John Mowhak after being concerned about Native American nutrition and diabetes. He thought the project was a way to not only return to physical health but spiritual tradition. After his passing, the project was moved to Ganondagan. It's considered to be a non-GMO project verified and gluten-free food. The products are now offered in grocery stores.

2014-10-01 |

70 groups tell Obama: Don’t restrict GMO labeling in trade agreements

Consumer rights on the table in US-EU trade talks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Seventy consumer, farm and food groups, and businesses urged the Obama Administration in a letter today not to restrict efforts to label genetically modified foods in the ongoing and secret U.S.-EU trade talks. Through negotiations on the Transatlantic Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) with the European Union, the U.S. Trade Representative seeks to establish common regulations covering consumer protections, and has targeted the European Union’s regulations of genetically modified foods, which includes consumer labeling. U.S. and EU agribusiness firms have been open about their desire to eliminate GMO labeling laws under TAFTA—including the rising number of U.S. states moving to require GMO labeling. “Once again, the USTR is working to give corporations their TAFTA-created 'rights' to violate the rights and wishes of people to know what is in their food,” said Dena Hoff, VP of the National Family Farm Coalition. “GMO labeling is desired by at least three of every four consumers; it is time for the USTR to respect the sovereignty of nations and the desires of the people who live in them instead of telling consumers to ‘eat and shut up, or else.’” The groups expressed concerns that a TAFTA chapter called “technical barriers to trade” would limit governments’ ability to maintain or establish product labels for consumers. This year, Vermont was the first state to pass required GMO labeling without any restrictions. Maine and Connecticut passed GMO labeling laws last year contingent on neighboring states also passing GMO labeling laws. More than 20 states are also considering laws, including major GMO labeling initiatives on the ballot in Colorado and Oregon this fall.

2014-09-30 |

Assembly Bill No. 504 to ban transgenic fish approved by Governor

Governor signs bill banning commercial production of genetically modified salmon

Gov. Jerry Brown signed a North Coast lawmaker’s bill banning the commercial production of genetically altered salmon. AB 504, authored by Assemblyman Wes Chesbro, D-Arcata, extends the prohibition of spawning or cultivating so-called “transgenic salmonids” in the Pacific Ocean to all waters of the state. The hatchery production and stocking of such fish also is prohibited. The legislation protects the state’s native steelhead trout and salmon populations, Chesbro said. He noted that federal food and drug regulators are reviewing an application by a company, AquaBounty Technologies, that seeks to raise genetically altered salmon in the United States. (.....) The bill was sponsored by the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations.

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