News
2012-10-02 | permalink
U.S. pesticide use ramping up as GMO crop technology backfires: study
U.S. farmers are using more hazardous pesticides to fight weeds and insects due largely to heavy adoption of genetically modified crop technologies that are sparking a rise of ”superweeds” and hard-to-kill insects, according to a newly released study. Genetically engineered crops have led to an increase in overall pesticide use, by 404 million pounds from the time they were introduced in 1996 through 2011, according to the report by Charles Benbrook, a research professor at the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources at Washington State University. Of that total, herbicide use increased over the 16-year period by 527 million pounds while insecticide use decreased by 123 million pounds.
Thomson Reuters, USA: Pesticide use ramping up as GMO crop technology backfires: study- Washington State University, USA: Pesticide use rises as herbicide-resistant weeds undermine performance of major GE crops, new WSU study shows
- Business Insider, USA: Study: GM crops cause more pesticides
- The Guardian, UK: How GMOs unleashed a pesticide gusher
- The Times of India, India: Chemical pesticide usage increasing in GM crops as resistance spreads: Study
2012-09-25 | permalink
Parliamentary committee orders Kyrgyz government to develop mechanisms of ban on GMO
In Kyrgyzstan, a parliamentary committee ordered the government to develop mechanisms of imposing a ban on genetically modified food. The decision was made at today's session of the Committee on Budget and Finances. [...] As MP noted, customs stations should be provided with express-tests to check foodstuffs for the presence of GMO. We also should purchase laboratory equipment for testing. ”Nobody says the law will come into force tomorrow. But agriculture development and natural food must be a priority task for us,” Elmira Dzhumaliyeva added.
2012-09-19 | permalink
Monsanto weedkiller and GM maize in ’shocking’ cancer study
The world's best-selling weedkiller, and a genetically modified maize resistant to it, can cause tumours, multiple organ damage and lead to premature death, new research published today reveals. In the first ever study to examine the long-term effects of Monsanto's Roundup weedkiller, or the NK603 Roundup-resistant GM maize also developed by Monsanto, scientists found that rats exposed to even the smallest amounts, developed mammary tumours and severe liver and kidney damage as early as four months in males, and seven months for females, compared with 23 and 14 months respectively for a control group.
- The Grocer, UK: Monsanto weedkiller and GM maize in ’shocking’ cancer study
- Phys.Org, USA: France orders probe after study questions GM corn safety
- Daily Mail, UK: Fresh row over GM foods as French study claims rats fed the controversial crops suffered tumours
EuropaBio, Belgium: Claims on GM safety should be held up to the same level of scientific scrutiny as biotech product approvals- Sustainable Food Trust, UK: First peer reviewed lifetime feeding trials finds ”safe” levels of GM maize and Roundup can cause tumours and multiple organ damage
- Comité de Recherche et d'Information Indépendantes sur le génie GENétique, France (CRIIGEN): All Guinea Pigs ! Severe toxic effects of a GMO and of the major herbicide of the world
2012-09-19 | permalink
"Mothers of Ituzaingó" tour Spain to fight against GM Soy and Glyphosate
Speakertour in Spain
During the past three days, Goldman Environmental Prize winner Sofía Gatica and Maria Godoy, both Argentinian activists and members of the group “Mothers of Ituzaingó”, have been travelling across Spain to expose the dangers of the cultivation of genetically modified soya and the use of glyphosate. Argentina is one of the biggest soy exporters in the world. They warned Spanish citizens - Spain being the first GM producer in the EU - that if herbicide-tolerant GM soya were cultivated in Spain, the social and environmental consequences would be unforseeable and irreversible. The events in Spain are part of a speakers tour across Europe which will end in Brussels, where Sofia and Maria will join the Good Food March today. In conferences and meetings with local groups in Córdoba, Madrid, Zaragoza and Barcelona, as well as through a wide range of media interviews, the two activists described the adverse health effects which Monsanto’s Roundup Ready soy has caused in their neighbourhood Ituzaingó near Córdoba resulting in a high number of cancer, malformations and miscarriages. In the Spanish city of Córdoba, around 80 people, amongst them farmers, neighbours and members of NGOs and organic consumption groups, gathered in the Orive Gardens and discussed strategies on how to avoid the cultivation of GM crops in Spain and worldwide. Sofia and Maria told the audience about the recent court sentence, which found one soy farmer and a pilot of a spraying plane guilty of contaminating the area. On Tuesday, coinciding with the international day against Monsanto, Sofia and Maria held a panel discussion in Zaragoza.
Farmers, agricultural engineers, consumers organisations and local citizens discussed the GM situation in the region of Aragón and the lack of a GMO free label in Spain. In Barcelona, more than 60 people came to hear the two activists, who called for a ban on GM soy into the EU. The discussion focussed on the lack of independent research regarding the health effects of GM crops and pesticide use.
More informations2012-09-13 | permalink
Poland allows the use of GMO soy in animal feed starting 2016
Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski has recently signed an amendment on the law of animal feeding, which allows the use of genetically modified soybeans in animal nutrition starting 2016. He noted that this decision is “economically and socially reasonable.” He added that without this amendment, poultry and pork producers in the country could face difficulties. However, the decision was criticised by the Ministry of agriculture. “Poland should be free of GMO products. There are a lot of reasons for this for example the health of people, the protection of environment and the need for the maintenance of biological diversity”, said Mark Kalembe Minister of Agriculture of Poland, in an interview.
