2012-03-15
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Fear of genetically modified organisms focuses mainly on the possible threat to the typicality of Italian farm products. But there’s a paradox. Without genetic engineering, we would not today have some of our most typical products. Hard wheat, Carnaroli rice, the San Marzano tomato, Ligurian basil, the Nero d’Avola vine, the Tropea red onion and Roman broccoli were all obtained from crossings and seed mutagenesis. [...] GMOs are going to rescue post-tsunami farming. Japanese and British researchers are working on a salt-resistant rice plant that can be planted in areas affected by last year’s tsunami
2011-03-22
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Together with other growers, [Giorgio Fidenato, the secretary of ”Futuragra” a small growers’ association in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region] has promised in the next few weeks to plant transgenic corn in the belief that the Italian law cannot enforce a ban on seeds which have been authorised by the European Union. His threat comes at a time when the Friuli region is adopting an anti-GMO law: the cultivation of genetically modified plants will indeed be possible only for experimental ends and in controlled conditions so as to prevent the release and spread of GMOs and the consequent contamination of conventional and organic crops.
2010-10-06
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An Italian court has imposed a 25,000 euro ($33,670) fine on a farmer for illegally growing genetically modified maize and ordered him to destroy the crop, but the farmer said on Tuesday he would appeal the decision. Italy has banned cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops pending approval of rules on co-existence of GM and traditional crops.
2010-10-05
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Italy's regional farming heads agreed unanimously on Thursday to urge the agriculture minister to ban cultivation of genetically modified maize and potatoes, their coordinator on GM policy told Reuters. Italy has de facto banned cultivation of GM crops pending approval of rules on their co-existence with traditional crops. Public opinion in the country is strongly opposed to GM crops, which are seen as less healthy.
2010-08-25
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Giorgio Fidenato declared war on the Italian government and environmental groups in April with a news conference and a YouTube video, which showed him poking six genetically modified corn seeds into Italian soil. [...] If the Italian government does not relent on the genetically modified seeds, he warned, he commands an army of farmers across Italy who are prepared to plant MON810 to force its hand.
2010-08-19
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"Our biggest goal is to show consumers that it is safe to eat," said the 49-year-old advocate of what's known as genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. More activist than farmer, Fidenato's cultivation of nearly 5 hectares, or 12 acres, of genetically modified corn is a rogue act aimed at forcing the legalization of genetically engineered crops in Italy. He waxes on about their benefits: They require fewer chemicals and produce higher yields and greater profits.
2010-07-13
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New, lycopene-rich tomato bred using natural techniques presented during Coldiretti farmers’ assembly in Rome Italian producers have unveiled a new ’supertomato’ which they claim has the potential to slow the ageing process as well as offering better quality and taste.
2010-02-12
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The highest appeals court in Italy has overturned a standing ban on the cultivation of genetically modified plants. The Ministry of Agriculture and a majority of the population seem otherwise inclined. According to London weekly Agra Europe, the highest court in Italy has instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to allow the planting of genetically modified (GM) maize.
2010-01-20
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Italy is the Achilles heel of the campaign to maintain Europe’s defences against genetically modified crops, a US report has said, adding that the region’s consumers are not as opposed to the technology as is portrayed. With 65% of Italians supporting biotechnology, and the Vatican a ”vocal advocate” of GM crops as a way of easing hunger in Africa, the country was a ”good place to start” a campaign to ”educate” Europeans about GM crops.
2009-03-21
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Italian researchers grew tobacco plants containing genes for interleukin-10, a ”cytokine” immune system signalling molecule. [...] Study leader Professor Mario Pezzoti, from the University of Verona, said: ”Transgenic plants are attractive systems for the production of therapeutic proteins because they offer the possibility of large scale production at low cost, and they have low maintenance requirements. ”The fact that they can be eaten, which delivers the drug where it is needed, thus avoiding lengthy purification procedures, is another plus compared with traditional drug synthesis.”
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