News
2012-08-09 | permalink
EU commission faces challenge over RR-Bt GE soy approval for food and feed
The EU gave permission for use of the soybeans in food and feed at end of June. However, it is claimed that the European Food Safety Authority has not carried out the risk assessments for the product ”in the way” as legally required. The European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility has now filed a complaint about the matter to the commission. Other complainants include the Society for Ecological Research, Sambucus, the foundation Manfred-Hermsen-Stiftung for Nature Conservation and Environmental Protection and the Foundation on Future Farming.
The Parliament, Brussels: EU commission faces challenge over ’genetically engineered’ plant approval2012-08-08 | permalink
Schleswig-Holstein reenters European GMO free regions network
Schleswig-Holstein ist wieder offiziell gentechnikfreie Region
The German state “Schleswig-Holstein“ again belongs to the European GMO free regions network. With its re-entry, the network gains back one of its founder members after its exit from the alliance in 2005. The environmental minister Habeck justifies this step with locational advantages of his state. Schleswig-Holstein’s agriculture wants to continue GMO free to avoid ecological damages. With this decision, the federal state government also responds to the interests of its citizens. “Surveys show that the considerable majority of people oppose of genetically modified food on their plates. This concern we takes serious”, said minister Habeck. More than 50 regions with more than 140 million residents belong to the European GMO free regions network. Since 2008, no more GMO crops have been cultivated in Schleswig-Holstein.
2012-08-07 | permalink
Swedish agriculture and food co-operative shuts feed line after GM rapemeal found
Lantmannen highlighted the severity of the European Union's opposition to genetically modified foods by revealing that it had closed down feed production capacity after the discovery of biotech rapeseed meal. The Swedish agriculture and food co-operative said that it was taking action against the, unnamed, supplier of the rapeseed meal, after routine internal tests discovered ”traces” of genetically modified material. ”The raw material comes from a reputable supplier that guarantees GM-free product,” Lantmannen said.
2012-08-07 | permalink
New Zealand canola growers determined to stay GE-free
New Zealand growers of oilseed rape or canola say experiences overseas have convinced them they need to stay clear of genetically engineered crops. The chairman of the rapeseed growers group, South Canterbury farmer Jeremy Talbot, agrees with a visiting Australian farmer, Bob Mackley, who has been brought to New Zealand by the Green Party to talk about the consequences of having GE crops in his area (western Victoria). Mr Mackley says New Zealand needs to be aware that once the green light is given for GE production, there is no turning back.
2012-08-06 | permalink
Pesticide use rises in Brazil as GM crop plantings increase
Brazilian farmers are using more pesticides on their crops. Despite the significant growth of the area cultivated with transgenic seeds, a technology that promises to reduce chemical use in agricultural production, sales of these products increased by over 72% between 2006 and 2012 - from 480,100 to 826,700 tons – according to data from Sindag, the association that represents pesticide manufacturers in the country. [...] The maize-aphid , an insect that sucks plant sap and leaves malformed cobs, never posed a threat to farmers in Jatai, one of the major production centers of winter maize in the country. But in April, the pest showed indication of its danger when it was about to attack a good part of the 150,000 hectares of the 2011/12 crop in the region. ”It was one of those scares,” recalls Luis Batista, an agronomist at Pioneer.
