News

2013-06-11 |

Mixed reactions on adoption of first U.S. State GE food labelling law in Connecticut (USA)

An “army of lobbyists” led by Monsanto Company helped convince Connecticut lawmakers to water down the nation’s first GMO labeling law. Though the mere fact that the Connecticut General Assembly passed a GMO labeling bill is a step in the right direction, the full story is a disturbing reminder of how powerful the biotech lobby really is. [...] lobbyists led by Monsanto Company and the Biotechnology Industry Organization trade association succeeded in neutering the law by launching a large-scale lobbying campaign aimed at state lawmakers, who were convinced in part by the lobby to add requirements that two triggers be met in order for the law to go into effect.

2013-06-10 |

Japanese conference launches GMO-Free Declaration from Yamanashi

The conference was held under the theme of "GMO-Free Declaration from Yamanashi: Let's Protect Precious Food for Our Livelihood." Mr. Chiaki Horikawa, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the JA Rihoku (local agricultural cooperative) made an opening comment as the chairperson of the planning committee for the conference. He expressed his concern over risks of the TPP negotiations regarding universal health care and food safety. "We want to keep our fruits and vegetables safe and secure. To this end, we include the clause ‘GM crops are not permitted’ in the agriculture promotion plan of JA Rihoku," said Mr. Horikawa.

2013-06-10 |

National Institute of Environmental Research maps unapproved GM crops growing in South Korea

According to a report by a government-affiliated institute, there has been a significant increase in the number of cases of prohibited genetically modified crops being released into the natural environment during the process of import and distribution. [...] the National Institute of Environmental Research collected 626 samples of four main genetically modified crops (corn, soybeans, cotton, and rapeseed) in 2012 from the area around major ports in Korea where imported GMCs are unloaded, around factories where GMCs are processed, around livestock breeding areas (the final consumer of GMC feed), and along the routes by which GMCs are transported from ports to the final consumer. Analysis of these samples found genetically modified DNA in 42 samples from 19 regions.

2013-06-07 |

Costa Rica Ombudsman’s Office files complaint against GM corn

Costa Rica’s Ombudsman’s Office on Wednesday filed a legal action challenging the constitutionality of permission granted to a Monsanto subsidiary to grow genetically modified corn in the country. In January, the subsidiary of multinational biotechnology company Monsanto received permission to grow GM corn in a decision that was highly criticized by environmental groups. The Ombudsman’s Office said in a press release that “growing GMOs has environmental, social, cultural and economic implications for human life.”

2013-06-07 |

Professor warns on foreign (GM) seeds threatening food sovereignty in Egypt

Professor of anthropology Reem Saad warns of the increasing challenges to Egypt’s food sovereignty due to the expanded use of imported seeds “We seem to be talking a lot about food security without really paying enough attention to the crucial factor of food sovereignty, which is an even more crucial matter,” said Reem Saad, a professor of anthropology and a researcher. [...] Saad also recommends the need for vigilance against the illicit expansion of genetically modified crops, with such crops, including grains, vegetables and fruit, being introduced into the local market and gaining ground “without any prior social debate”.

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