News

2014-08-20 | permalink

Liberal Government commits to extend the existing moratorium on GMOs in Tasmania for five years

The Liberal Government is getting on with the job of delivering our long-term plan for Tasmania, including working to achieve our vision of growing the value of our agricultural produce ten-fold by 2050. Next week's Budget is all about keeping our promises, fixing the budget mess and laying the foundations for the future. Today, the Liberal Government is fulfilling its commitment to extend the existing moratorium on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Tasmania for five years. Importantly, this will provide certainty to our primary industries to further develop markets for our produce, protect our state's brand and support future growth in the food and agricultural sector. The Genetically Modified Organism Amendment Bill 2014 that I tabled in Parliament this morning takes into account the findings of the comprehensive 2013 review by my Department, which considered 160 public submissions and new market research. The review demonstrated that there is currently no imperative to change from having a moratorium. The Liberal Government believes that a five-year moratorium is a common sense approach that strikes an appropriate balance between the needs of today and the possibilities of tomorrow. Through AgriGrowth Tasmania, we will actively monitor developments in technology, markets and consumer sentiment throughout this period. A new Tasmanian Gene Technology Policy and associated Gene Technology Guidelines provide the necessary detail on how the moratorium will be implemented. The policy and the moratorium will be reviewed prior to its expiry in 2019.

2014-08-20 | permalink

Scientific advice to the European Commission’s President should be transparent and objective

Scientific advice should be transparent, objective and independent, and there should be more science and more diverse expertise available to the European Commission’s President, a coalition of 28 international and national NGOs wrote in a letter addressed to President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker. The new President will have to decide whether or not to retain the position of Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA) that was established by his predecessor, President José Manuel Barroso. In the majority of European countries, governments rely for advice on scientific committees composed of various experts, who prepare transparent and public reports. Among EU countries, only the UK currently maintains the position of a single CSA as a full-time government office. The NGOs argue that it is unreasonable to expect that one single person can guarantee objective and competent advice on a widespread range of issues to the European Commission’s President. They are concerned that the model chosen by President Barroso lacks transparency and objectivity, and makes it easier for lobbyists to influence scientific policy advice.

2014-08-19 | permalink

Global Non-GMO Food market will grow at a CAGR of 15.92 percent

Global non-GMO Food Market 2014-2018

The analysts forecast the Global Non-GMO Food market will grow at a CAGR of 15.92 percent over the period 2013-2018.

Covered in this Report
The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the Global Non-GMO Food market for the period 2013-2018. To calculate the market size, the report takes into account revenue generated from retail sales of non-GMO food products.

The report, the Global Non-GMO Food Market 2014-2018, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers Europe, North America, the APAC region, and the ROW; it also covers the Global Non-GMO Food market landscape and its growth prospects in the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.

2014-08-18 | permalink

GMO and Organic Products in Iceland

Q: What is the situation on GMO products and organic food, as well as about the usage of pesticides and such toxic substances in Iceland? Are GMOs banned? Is organic food easy to find? And how much does it cost?

A: Iceland follows guidelines from the European Union when it comes to organic products as well as genetically modified organisms. GMOs are not banned in Iceland but they are required to be labeled as such. Similarly, laws strictly dictate which products can be labeled GMO-free and/or organic. Bovine growth hormones are completely banned.

2014-08-13 | permalink

Scientists and members of social movements have appealed to Pope to get GMOs banned in Brazil

Brazilian scientists and members of social movements have appealed to Pope Francis to join forces in an attempt to persuade the Brazilian government no longer to allow growing and using genetically modified foods and its by-products in Brazil.

In a letter sent to the Vatican late in April, eight researchers from six countries argue that, if international companies are authorized to register manipulation processes or the properties of life forms, like seeds, food security would be threatened and biopiracy encouraged.

The letter includes a commission given by the Via Campesina (the International Peasant's Movement) to scientists involved in social movements and includes a number of initiatives launched by organizations from the civil society, like the petition, drawn up in 2009, that shows over 800 researchers who oppose the genetically modified organisms (GMO).

A copy of the document sent to the pope was delivered to the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil ("CNBB").