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from Claire Robinson, WEEKLY WATCH editor
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Dear all:
The US government is allowing pharma rice to be planted in Kansas, and the Victorian state government in Australia is considering lifting its GM moratorium. Coming at a time when the US has suffered major damage to its rice industry from GM trial contamination, these moves are insane.
As the Group Chairman of USA Rice Producers put it, "The US rice industry is still reeling from the release of Bayer CropScience's genetically engineered LibertyLink rice into US Delta-region rice fields. We are living with the effect of unintended events and consequences. This decision will not generate any comfort among US commercial rice growers." (THE AMERICAS)
Julie Newman of Australia's Network of Concerned Farmers was equally blunt, "If politicians want Australian farmers to follow in the footsteps of US and Canadian farmers who have faced additional costs, intimidating contracts and plummeting market acceptance of GM food crops, they should also be prepared to match the massive subsidies given to growers of GM food crops." (AUSTRALASIA)
Claire This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.gmwatch.org / www.lobbywatch.org
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CONTENTS
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THE AMERICAS
ASIA
AUSTRALASIA
NEW RESEARCH
BOOK REVIEW
EUROPE
AFRICA
LOBBYWATCH
BIOFUELS
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
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THE AMERICAS
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+ RICE TO PRODUCE HUMAN PROTEINS APPROVED IN U.S.
The US government has given approval for Ventria Bioscience to plant GM rice engineered to produce human proteins in Kansas. Ventria can now grow up to 3,200 acres of GM rice in Geary County, Kansas, to produce proteins intended to be used in medicine to treat diarrhea.
USA Rice Producers' Group Chairman Paul Combs said, "The US rice industry is still reeling from the release of Bayer CropScience's genetically engineered LibertyLink rice into US Delta-region rice fields. We are living with the effect of unintended events and consequences. This decision will not generate any comfort among US commercial rice growers."
APHIS received more than 20,000 comments on Ventria's application, with only 29 supporting the planting of the GM rice in Kansas.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7887
Center for Food Safety press release
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7889
+ U.S. STATES INTRODUCE NUMEROUS BILLS TO REGULATE GM FOODS
US state capitols are filled with bills aimed at protecting small family farming systems and consumers from GM foods. Four states are carrying bills making the agbiotech industry liable in the event that another contamination occurs. Three states are hearing bills calling for a moratorium on food crops genetically engineered to produce pharmaceuticals. Illinois and Tennessee are calling for labeling of foods derived from genetically engineered crops. Five states, California, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, and South Dakota, are calling for notification systems in which GM foods become a part of the public record.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7870
+ WAMBUGU HEADS FOR UC BERKELEY
Dr Florence Wambugu is scheduled to speak at UC Berkeley the morning of May 20, 2007, as the Commencement Speaker during the College of Natural Resources Commencement Program (graduation ceremony). Wambugu is an African biotechnology expert whose career and research projects are funded by Monsanto, Dow, Novartis, AgrEvo, Bayer, BBSRC, Cargill, Pioneer, Syngenta. These companies also provide millions to UC Berkeley for research.
The Indybay article that announces her visit comments, "Extensive analysis of published reports shows Dr Florence Wambugu's reinvention of the future via genetic engineering exists only at the level of myth. Unfortunately, the Wambugu myth is helping to inhibit change for some of the world's poorest farmers."
Wambugu's whoppers:
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7888
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ASIA
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+ GM RICE SCANDAL HELPS THAI RICE EXPORTS SURGE NEARLY 20%
Natural calamities elsewhere in Asia and the GM scandal rice in the US and Australia could push Thailand's rice exports up to 8.8 million tons this year, up from 7.4 million tons in 2006.
Rice production in the US and Australia is decreasing this year due to discoveries of GM strains of the grain there, resulting in import bans in some markets such as Europe.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7872
+ INDIA'S HEALTH MINISTER UNHAPPY ABOUT GM REGULATION
India's health minister feels stricter norms should be in place before GM foods can be consumed. "I have expressed my concern to the ministry of environment and the science and tech ministry as well. Before they give a go ahead for field trials they have to ensure there is more information available, otherwise there is a serious health concern," said health minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7869
+ FUTURE OF BIOTECH IN INDIA - IMPORTANT INTERVIEW
Dr Suman Sahai, award-winning geneticist and founder of Gene Campaign, succinctly explains the failings of GM in India and demands a switch to organic farming in an interview with Countercurrents.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7878
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AUSTRALASIA
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+ AUSTRALIA: FARMERS OUTRAGED AT VICTORIAN CONTAMINATION PLAN
The Network of Concerned Farmers has expressed its outrage at news that the Victorian State Government is considering lifting its moratorium on GM crops. The key issue of concern for the NCF is the unfair costs and liabilities that will be imposed on non-GM farmers due to the problems associated with segregating GM from non-GM crops in order to supply markets that are GM sensitive.
Julie Newman of the Network of Concerned Farmers commented, "If politicians want Australian farmers to follow in the footsteps of US and Canadian farmers who have faced additional costs, intimidating contracts and plummeting market acceptance of GM food crops, they should also be prepared to match the massive subsidies given to growers of GM food crops."
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7886
+ ORGANICS INDUSTRY REJECTS GM CANOLA REPORT
The organics industry has rejected a report by the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics (ABARE) which suggests they would not be greatly affected by the growing of GM canola crops in Australia.
Organic Federation of Australia (OFA) spokesman Andre Leu disputes ABARE's conclusion that export markets would accept a low level of GM contamination in organic products. "There are no markets around the world that will allow products to be called organic if they have a level of contamination from GM products, so organic growers would lose their premium on the market," he said.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7871
+ GM CRITICS IGNORANT, SAYS CHIEF SCIENTIST
Australia's chief scientist has criticised opponents of GM as "unprincipled minorities" that are spreading false facts and hype. Speaking at a conference in Melbourne, Jim Peacock said those circulating misinformation about GM were largely "self-serving organic farmers and ill-informed environmental activists".
Julie Newman of the Network of Concerned Farmers commented, "It is rubbish to say that GM crops are going to feed the world [one of Peacock's favourite themes] when non-GM varieties appear to be yielding more.
"Over 90% of the worlds crop is non-GM despite the huge push for these patented GM crops over the last decade. The truth is being modified more than the genetics and farmers aren't gullible enough to be conned for long."
GM Watch comment: According to a former chief executive of CSIRO, Peacock's previous employer, "Working with the transnationals makes a lot of sense... Yes, we do find that it is often the best strategy to get into bed with these companies."
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7877
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NEW RESEARCH
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+ RESEARCH SHOWS HUGE VARIATION IN BT TOXIN IN GM MAIZE
A study by Greenpeace has found massive variations in the amount of Bt toxin present in GM maize plants. In the growing season 2006, Greenpeace took leaf samples of MON810 maize plants to determine the Bt toxin concentration. The variation found on the same field on the same day was considerable, and could differ by a factor of as much as 100.
The study points out that if the toxin is not effective in low concentrations, then serious concerns about the effectiveness of the plants in controlling European corn borer larvae need to be raised.
Additional problems would then also concern insect resistance management, as resistance development could be accelerated by sub-lethal toxin doses.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7883
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BOOK REVIEW
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+ REVIEW OF JEFFREY SMITH'S GENETIC ROULETTE
EXTRACT from Claire Robinson's review of this new book: Smith has to be the best science communicator alive today, and this book stands as the final word on GM health risks. It's the definitive answer to those who don't know, those who don't want to know, and those who know but don't want anyone else to know.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7885
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EUROPE
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+ GERMANY: RIGHTS OF BEEKEEPERS UPHELD OVER GM MAIZE
A court in Augsburg, Germany has passed judgment in a case bought by a beekeeper, who has a GM maize field near him. The court judged that the State of Bayern had the responsibility to ensure that honey was not contaminated by pollen from Monsanto's Bt810 corn (this also calls into question the 0.1% allowable contamination proposed by the EU). In addition, it was said that the plants already growing should be pulled up or the pollen in the plant be made safe. There are other such court cases under way in other parts of Germany.
GM Watch comment: GM maize is the only GM crop being grown in any EU countries and its cultivation is being met with fierce resistance. Last week, Der Spiegel reported that the German government had introduced tough new restrictions on the sale of GM maize seeds that were tantamount to a de facto ban.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7875
+ BLAIR'S CONTAMINATED LEGACY
Farmers Weekly has a double-page feature on "Blair's Legacy" in which Peter Melchett, Soil Association policy director, is interviewed. Melchett believes Blair will be remembered for agreeing with George Bush on Iraq and GM crops, and failing to convince the British people on either issue.
Melchett writes: "When he became Prime Minister, Tony Blair believed that within a few years GM crops would be the norm and that everyone would be eating GM food. With the benefit of hindsight, GM is now seen to have been a great victory for public common sense, but a massive mistake for many farmers, like American rice and maize exporters, who have lost their markets for decades to come."
Another excellent article Melchett wrote on this theme a year ago is at
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7876
+ UK: DEFRA APPROVES SECOND SITE FOR GM POTATO TRIALS
UK farm ministry Defra has given approval for a site in East Yorkshire to be used by BASF for its GM potato trials. The statutory approval is valid until 2011. BASF will not proceed with trials at the East Yorkshire site this year, but may do so in future years.
Comment from Michael Green, policy officer for the Soil Association: "British retailers won't sell GM and shoppers won't buy it, so it is astonishing that the government has given these unwanted spuds the go-ahead. Nevertheless, it is encouraging that the GM potato trial in East Yorkshire will not take place this year. Hopefully this will provide an opportunity to reconsider the trials and follow the example of Ireland and Holland where GM potatoes have been shelved."
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7874
+ WHY BASF IS NOT GOING AHEAD WITH GM POTATO TRIAL
According to BASF's press release: "Due to concerns raised by local borage growers BASF is not going ahead with planting of the [GM] field trial this year in order to resolve the issues."
If the trial had gone ahead, local beekeepers said they'd have to remove their hives from the area and this could have affected the viability of borage crops in the vicinity of the trial. The farmer was quoted as saying that he would not go ahead with the trial if the borage issue were not sorted out.
GM Watch comment: The local campaign group (HEDON AGAINST GM) say they cannot see how the borage issue can be sorted out, which points to it being very difficult to run the trial next year.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7884
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AFRICA
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+ SWEET BANANA ON TRIAL IN UGANDA
Uganda has imported GM sweet banana plants from Belgium for field trials. The GM sweet banana will from this month be tested at the Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) for resistance to the bacterial wilt and Black Sigatoka fungal disease. Field results are expected within 5-10 years.
GM Watch comment: Geoffrey Arinatwe, the Ugandan scientist who developed this GM banana, is one of a group of scientists based in Belgium who've been responsible for a series of attempts to hype GM bananas. Arinatwe is quoted in a San Francisco Chronicle article, for example, as saying, "Without a genetic fix, the banana may be history". As we've noted before, these claims gets expertly debunked each time it arises. READ ON AT
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7879
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LOBBYWATCH
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+ GM-SUPPORTING CARDINAL ENCOURAGES CLIMATE CHANGE SCEPTICISM
GM-supporting Cardinal Renato Martino has organised a Vatican meeting on climate change in the style of his Vatican conferences on GM. The big difference, though, was that at the GM events, critics of GM and the biotech industry found it hard to get their voices heard, whereas at the climate change event, climate sceptics were out in force and Martino gave them preferential treatment.
Martino used the concluding speech of the conference to launch an attack on "current forms of idolatry of nature", arguing that man's immortal soul meant he "cannot be equal to other living beings, nor considered a disturbing element to the naturalistic ecological balance."
Martino also tried to spin global warming as positive. "Not all the scientific world is crying disaster," Martino told Vatican Radio at the start of the two-day conference.
Martino made his name as a commentator on climate change by claiming on British TV that it didn't matter how many air miles he clocked up as they weren't the Vatican's planes!!
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7873
+ CARDINAL MARTINO'S SUPERIORITY COMPLEX
John Vidal of the UK's Guardian writes about Martino's "superiority complex", noting that his hubristic statements about the environment are at odds with what his boss, Pope Benedict XVI, has been saying recently in Brazil.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7880
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BIOFUELS
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+ ROW OVER BAN ON GM-DERIVED BIOFUELS IN CYPRUS
Cyprus faces sanctions from the EU as a result of its refusal to conform to EU directives over the importation of biofuels. The Cyprus Parliament recently banned the importation and cultivation of GM plants that produce biofuels. Green Party leader Giorgos Perdikis said biofuels could be extracted from normal plants and without the use of GM products.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7881
+ ENVIRONMENTAL WARNING ON BIOFUELS
The drive to switch over to biofuels could lead to rising food prices and deforestation, a report has warned. The government and EU have said by the year 2020 they want 10% of all fuel in cars to come from biofuels. But a study by the Co-op Insurance Society suggests achieving this could have a severe environmental impact. It came days after a UN report with similar warnings.
Prof Dieter Helm, a senior advisor to the British government, said: "People are felling rainforests to plant crops to grow energy fuels, biofuels. Think of the energy involved in felling those rainforests. Think about the damage to the climate being done by the loss of those trees. Think about the ploughing and the cultivation of fields.
"Think about the transport of those fuels, and you start to realise the carbon imprints are about much more than simply what happens to grow in a particular field at a particular point in time."
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7868
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QUOTES OF THE WEEK
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+ GM NOT AN OPTION FOR IRELAND
Councillor Joe Behan, Chairman of Wicklow Co. Council in Ireland, who is currently running as a Fianna Fail candidate in the Irish General Election:
"The day that GM food makes an appearance in Wicklow is the day that Wicklow farming closes down. ... GM is simply not an option for Ireland."
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7871
+ REMEMBER GM IS CONTROLLED BY BIG BUSINESS
Editorial in The Age (Australia) commenting on the news that Victoria may to break ranks with other states by ending a moratorium on GM:
"GM is bankrolled by huge multi-national corporations that stand to make huge money. That is why they can afford the best spin doctors and lobbyists that money can buy. To ask Big Agribusiness about GM is a little like consulting Big Tobacco about the risks of smoking."
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7871