Agnet Dec. 2/03
NO! GMO
Campaign Japan
Safety, risk
and the precautionary principle: Rethinking precautionary approaches to the
regulation of transgenic plants
Lousy optics
in wheat deal
Seed
industry plagued by low returns
Quality
assurance programs help separate GM crops
Business
fined for failing to provide records
Sustainable
system has produced new potato
Feed barley
poised for a comeback with new, research-driven strategies
how to subscribe
NO!
GMO Campaign Japan
December 1, 2003
GM Watch
http://www.gmwatch.org
Declaration of Victory: "Citizens succeed in stopping Iwate prefecture's GM
rice!"
On November 28, more than 450 people from all over Japan gathered in Morioka
city, Iwate, to participate in a gathering "No to GMO National Assembly in
Iwate".
At the Assembly more than 407,000 signatures were collated of people
from all over Japan who had expressed support for a petition
demanding a stop to the GM rice(*) research taking place in Iwate
All the participants then set off down the street in the cold to take the
petition to the Iwate prefectural government. It was taken into the Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries Department.
After receiving the 407,212 signatures from 20 representatives from the
Assembly, Mr. Masakatsu Sasaki, the Director of the Agriculture Department,
publicly stated that Iwate has decided to abandon its GM rice research. Iwate
conducted an outdoor GM rice experiment this year, which had been due to
continue for a further year.
The Director also stated that Iwate will not conduct any further outdoor
experiments involving GM rice or any other GM crops.
This is yet another victory for the citizens of Japan and follows on from last
year's success in halting Monsanto's GM rice in Aichi prefecture.
As a result of that successful citizens' campaign to stop the Monsanto-Aichi GM
rice, Japanese private sector corporations completely abandoned GM rice R&D.
However the research facility of the former Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry
and Fisheries (MAFF) - now an independent administrative corporation - together
with the Iwate Biotechnology Research Centre, maintained their strong commitment
to develop GM rice. Despite which, people power has now succeeded in halting
this GM rice research programme in Iwate.
MAFF is currently discussing how to tighten the regulation of outdoor
experimental releases of GM crops at research centres, in order to accord with
the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which will enter into force in Japan from
19 February 2004. Iwate's decision is bound to have a strong influence on MAFF's
review.
It is now no longer at all easy to work on GM rice R&D in Japan. The same
applies to other GM foods as well.
"We do not want GM food! We do not eat GM food! We will not let GM food be
produced!". These are the words that are being repeated again and again by
the citizens of Japan and their efforts look set to bring some big results very
soon.
In terms of a global perspective on GM farming, the US company Monsanto's
attempt to rest control over global food production has not diminished, and the
GM farming area is enlarging. In addition, commercialization for GM wheat is
being sought in the US and Canada.
NO! GMO Campaign's next step is to increase its cooperation with other citizens
from all over the world in order to bring a halt to GM food.
(*) The Iwate Biotechnology Research Center was established in April 1992 with
100% funding from Iwate Prefecture. On 3 April 2003, the MAFF approved outdoor
trials for a low-temperature resistant rice variety "Sub29" developed
by the Iwate Biotechnology Research Center. This GM rice variety (Sasanishiki)
contains the glutathione-S-transferase gene, which imparts multiple functions
such as herbicide resistance and cold resistance. The problem with this rice
variety is that it produces enzymes with multiple
functions, and thus contains many uncertain factors. Simply anything could
happen, and it is possible that previously unknown problems will arise with this
variety in the future. (Source: Citizens' Biotechnology Information Center -
CBIC)
Safety,
risk and the precautionary principle: Rethinking precautionary approaches to the
regulation of transgenic plants
December 2003
Transgenic Research 12 (6): 639-647
Gregory Conko, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Abstract
Operationalizing the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety will require resolving
disputes about the meaning of the term ‘precautionary approach’ in the
treaty text. Although the terms precautionary approach and precautionary
principle have been referred to in the regulation of transgenic plants for
nearly a decade, no customary expectation of what actions either requires has
developed. If specific obligations for regulators, regulated entities, or both
are not established, compliance will be impossible. This essay examines various
interpretations of the precautionary principle, discusses their shortcomings,
and suggests a way to rethink the regulation of transgenic plants that focuses
on genuine uncertainty. Transgenic plants with familiar phenotypes should be
subject to considerably less regulatory scrutiny than those whose risks are
genuinely unknown, or known to pose heightened risk.
Lousy
optics in wheat deal
December 2, 2003
The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)
A6
The last thing beleaguered Canadian farmers need is, according to this
editorial, for a short-sighted federal agency to do anything that would
undermine consumer confidence at home and abroad in the process that exists to
ensure food safety.
Yet, that's exactly what Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada risks with a reported
deal with Monsanto that would see it receive royalties from the global
agribusiness and biotechnology giant should a variety of transgenic wheat be
approved for sale.
The editorial says that while it's been known for several years that AAFC
researchers with a mandate to "contribute to the competitiveness of the
Canadian agriculture sector" were working with the company to develop a
Roundup-ready variety of genetically modified wheat, news of a commercial
relationship between Ottawa and Monsanto is highly troubling.
Quite apart from its responsibilities to develop and support the farming
industry, Agriculture Canada is also charged with ensuring the safety of the
food supply. While AAFA may argue that safety regulation properly belongs to the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency, an arm's-length branch of the department,
there's little doubt that consumers are in no mood to engage in bureaucratic
hair-splitting on this topic.
The editorial says that as the experience with transgenic plants such as canola
show, contamination also remain a concern. Even though the rate of
cross-pollination in wheat may be greatly lower than for canola that's today
nearly all transgenic, the volume of wheat on the Prairies ensures that even a
little bit can go a long way to devastation.
The editorial goes on to conclude that Ag Canada should never have put itself in
a position where its duty to serve the public in a transparent way conflicts
with a deal struck with a partner who has to protect commercial interests.
Steven Gibb, Gerry Klein, Les MacPherson, Sarath Peiris and Lawrence Thoner
collaborate in writing SP editorials
Seed
industry plagued by low returns
November 30, 2003
Times of India
HYDERABAD -- Though genetically modified crop varieties have become popular
because of their high yields and disease-resistant properties, seed
manufacturers are, according to this story, worried about the lack of
remunerative returns for their products.
The story explains that with frequent advances in technology, several new seed
varieties are becoming redundant even before they fetch reasonable margins for
the manufacturers. To resolve this predicament, manufacturers are calling for
the streamlining of regulatory mechanisms for seed testing and approval
Quality
assurance programs help separate GM crops
December 1, 2003
ABC News
Quality assurance programs will play an important role in any future plan to
segregate genetically modified crops from non GM crops.
That's the finding of a new report commissioned by the Federal Government and
undertaken by Tasmanian Quality Assured.
Author of the report Jane Lovell says QA programs will help preserve grain
identity, but there are no guarantees.
"Certainly quality systems have the elements in them that are required to
give the assurance of identity preservation and segregation. I think the other
thing that really underpinned the results was because the human factor is so
large in food safety and quality assurance programs it always comes back to the
integrity of those people putting in the systems and that's why I hesitate on
guarantees."
This is a transcript from the ABC National Rural News that is broadcast daily to
all states on ABC Regional Radio's Country Hour and in the city on ABC News
Radio.
Business
fined for failing to provide records
December 1, 2003
Fort McMurray Today
2
Blain's Agri-Services Ltd. was fined $1,000 in provincial court Thursday after
pleading guilty to failing to provide information as required under the
Environmental Protection Act.
In June 2002, Alberta Environment investigated a suspected herbicide drift from
aerial spraying by Blain's that had affected a portion of a neighbouring
farmer's canola crop.
Alberta Environment requested in writing that the company provide spray records,
but the company refused.
The maximum fine under the legislation is $50,000.
Sustainable
system has produced new potato
December 2, 2003
CP Wire
TORONTO - FoodTrust of Prince Edward Island, a not-for-profit marketer of food
items from sustainable systems, has partnered with A&P Canada and the
Culinary Institute of Canada in Charlottetown to launch, according to this
story, a new potato billed as the freshest, easiest to buy, simplest to cook and
most flavourful on the market.
Alan Miller, CEO of FoodTrust, was quoted as saying, "These are definitely
not potatoes as we have come to know them. We've spent years of research on the
subject," adding that the potatoes are grown only on FoodTrust licensed
farms that meet the most stringent standards for quality assurance, social
responsibility and environmental sustainability.
Feed
barley poised for a comeback with new, research-driven strategies
December 2, 2003
Western Grains Research Foundation
www.westerngrains.com
Saskatoon, Sask.: Feed barley may be down, but it's far from out. The grain is
threatened by corn and CPS wheat on the livestock market front, and has
struggled lately to provide sustainable returns to growers. Despite these
challenges, feed barley is poised to benefit from new, research-driven
strategies that can elevate its status and help Western Canada capture more
barley value, says Vern Racz, Executive Director, Prairie Feed Resource Centre,
University of Saskatchewan.
"Feed barley continues to be a key crop driving the success of western
Canadian agriculture, particularly because of its great importance to the
malting and brewing and livestock industries," says Racz. "That's what
we're aiming for with new strategies in the research, development and marketing
chain."
Racz's perspective on strategies for improving feed barley is the subject of a
feature article in the December 2003 edition of Western Grains Research
Magazine, available on the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) Web site:
www.westerngrains.com. Western Canadian wheat and barley growers are major
investors in wheat and barley breeding research through the Wheat and Barley
Check-off Funds, administered by WGRF. The Research Magazine offers "Ideas
and issues for farmer research investors."
Racz identifies several key strategies for improving feed barley. These include
tying malting and feed barley together more tightly in a complementary system;
supporting breeding efforts to boost yield and available energy while reducing
phytate content in new barley varieties; and taking advantage of unique barley
qualities for the human food market and for designer products.
Progress in barley breeding is critical to delivering on many of these
strategies, he says. "We've already seen a lot of progress in this area.
For example, if you look at older varieties like Harrington compared to new
ones, you're looking at 20 to 25 percent more yield today. To me that's exciting
- it's a major increase and advantage."
Low phytate barley is another major improvement on the way, he says. "Low
phytate barley would reduce pollution and create incentive for higher feed
prices. Estimates show that feeders could save in the range of $2 to $3 per
tonne of feed in a hog grower diet by reducing the need for additional
phosphorus supplementation."
In addition to Racz' perspective on feed barley, the December edition of
Western Grains Research Magazine also offers updates on WGRF's progress toward
new Check-off funding agreements with research institutions.
Dr. Keith Degenhardt, a Hughenden, Alta., producer and Chair of WGRF reports on
recent progress toward new Check-off funding agreements, including when those
agreements will be in place and how farmers can provide input.
Western Grains Research Foundation is funded and directed by Western crop
producers, and allocates approximately $5 million annually to research through
the Wheat and Barley Check-off Funds and a separate $9 million Endowment Fund.
Agnet is produced by the Food Safety Network at
the University of Guelph and is sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
and Food, Plants Program at the University of Guelph, Agricultural Adaptation
Council (CanAdapt Program), AGCare, Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors,
ConAgra Foods, Inc., Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited (Canada), Ag-West Biotech, Inc.,
Monsanto Canada, Meat and Livestock Australia, National Pork Board, Pew
Initiative on Food and Biotechnology, Syngenta Seeds, Inc., Council for
Biotechnology Information, Canadian Animal Health Institute, Croplife Canada,
Syngenta Seeds Canada, Inc., Canadian Food Information Council, Saskatchewan
Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization, JIFSAN, National Cattlemen's Beef
Association, National Food Processors Association, Ontario Agri-Food
Technologies, Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Ltd., BC Ministry
of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Feedlot Health Management Services, Syngenta
Crop Protection, Ontario Corn Producers' Association, DuPont Canada, Inc.,
Office of Consumer Affairs, Burger King, Sobeys Ontario, McCain Produce Inc.,
Canadian Institute for Food Inspection and Regulation, Canadian Wheat Board,
National Meat Association, Seminis Vegetable Seeds, Ontario Soybean Growers,
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Foundation, Optibrand, University of Idaho Department of Microbiology, Molecular
Biology and Biochemistry, Tactix Government Consulting, Inc., Plant Bioscience
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