Archive for September, 2016


USA - THIRD GM APPLE COMMERCIALLY-APPROVED

Source: Capital Press – 26 September 2016

Summerland, B.C. — A third non-browning, genetically modified apple has been approved by the USDA. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of USDA has granted deregulated status to the Arctic Fuji developed by Okanagan Specialty Fruits of Summerland, B.C. The Fuji joins the Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny Smith varieties as deregulated and deemed as safe and nutritious as conventional apples by APHIS.


USA - CRISPR TECHNOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE

Source:  The Medical Republic – 29 September 2016

Global agricultural giant Monsanto has signed a licensing deal with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard to use CRISPR-Cas genome-editing technology to help develop new seeds and crop improvements. CRISPR is a technology used to edit DNA by snipping specific parts of the genetic code so as to modify the characteristics of an organism. For Monsanto, this means being able to integrate specific genes into a plant’s seeds as well as enhancing beneficial, or removing undesirable, plant characteristics so that plant breeders can deliver better hybrids and varieties more efficiently.


AUS - REPORT JOINS GM DEBATE

 

Source: Stock Journal (SA) – 29 September 2016

The state government claims its GM-free status, combined with overseas demand for non-GM foods and crops, could provide a huge economic benefit for SA. A University of Adelaide study, commissioned by the government, found there was growing demand in four export markets – particularly the United States and China – for ‘naturally healthy’ foods with non-GM ingredients.

Grain Producers SA, who want SA croppers to be given the choice on GM afforded to other mainland growers, said the report had not identified any price premiums being achieved for SA graingrowers to show the benefit of remaining GM-free. They said there were a number of agronomic benefits associated with growing GMs that SA croppers were missing out on.


CANADA - GREENPEACE FOUNDER LEADS GM RICE SUPPORT

 

Source: Farm Industry News – 20 September 2016

It’s not news that Patrick Moore is frustrated with the folks at Greenpeace…

And all of his focus now is on Golden Rice. During the Agricultural Bioscience International Conference being held in Fargo this week, Moore took on the notion of anti-GMO activists; but his core cause is Golden Rice….

In fact, he’s created a movement – Allow Golden Rice Now – in opposition to the efforts to stop the crop. “They’re linking Golden Rice with death, which scares parents into not wanting the technology developed, and they’re still doing this today,” Moore says. It was those efforts, and the fact that no one was actively campaigning in favor of the technology that led Moore to create the group supporting development of the crop.


CANADA - THE COST OF THE AUSSIE GM CANOLA BANS

 

Source: Sustainable Agriculture Innovations & Food (Canada) – 20 September 2016

Australia approved GM canola in 2003. However, by 2004 a moratorium was implemented across Australia against growing GM canola. It wasn’t until 2008 when the central canola producing states, New South Wales and Victoria, lifted the moratorium, followed by Western Australia in 2010….

The adoption delay of GM canola production has cumulatively resulted in [amongst other things] the application of an additional 6.5 million kg of chemicals…and Australian farmers lost the opportunity to increase their farm revenues by $485 million


INDIA - GM MUSTARD “SAFE”

Source: The Financial Express (India). 10 September 2016

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has cleared genetically-modified (GM) mustard as safe for human and animal consumption. While the environment ministry will take a final call on whether GM mustard should be declared safe for commercial cultivation, the clearance can pave the way for field trials of other GM crops like rice, brinjal and wheat.

In 2014, the Centre had put field trials of 15 genetically modified crops on hold even after the GEAC had recommended that they be allowed for rice, brinjal, chickpea and mustard…


USA - GM SALMON IS SAFE

Source: AquaBounty 31 August 2016

Activists have opposed improved food production from genetically modified (GM) species in spite of the substantial benefits they provide, and the lack of credible evidence that they represent a risk to health.

Nevertheless, their energetic advocacy has had some success, most recently in Nova Scotia.

Columnist Doug Saunders, in the May 21 Globe and Mail, sharply rebuked those who seek to prevent the use of any food grown using GM seeds. He gives an example in Kenya where an ill-informed but now reversed choice to ban GM seeds resulted in preventable crop losses during a drought. He concludes:

 “This week, the National Academy of Sciences released a mammoth study, by a large team of respected scientists who have no agribusiness involvement, which studied 20 years of Western cultivation and consumption of GM crops. It found absolutely zero health or nutritional differences between conventional and genetically altered crops in any form of food, or any possibility of health hazards in GM-developed hybrids.”

AUS - LIFT GM CROP BANS SAYS REPORT

Source: The Weekly Times – 20 July 2016

All moratoriums on genetically modified crops should be scrapped as there in “no justification” for the bans, a new Productivity Commission report argues.

And state governments should relinquish their power to impose such moratoriums, leaving regulation solely to the national regulator.

The Federal Government’s independent economic think tank today released for public comment its draft report into regulation in Australian agriculture, including all aspects of GM technology.

It says NSW, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and the ACT should all lift their moratoriums on GMOs, arguing there are no economic or health reasons for them…