Russians reject GM foods
Two thirds of Russians are against genetically modified foods and the majority of experts support a ban on GM crops as the government prepares new production laws.
Foodproduction Daily
posted Monday, May 30, 2005
Canadian government urged to stop GE Canola contamination in Japan
Greenpeace and Japanese consumer, environmental and farmer organizations today appealed to the Canadian government to stop contamination of food products and the environment by exporting only non-GE canola in future.
PR direct
posted Thursday, May 26, 2005
Detected Bt10 was stopped in Ireland
A United States consignment of genetically modified corn gluten feed tainted with an illegal strain of Bt10 has been impounded upon arrival at an Irish port, the European Commission said on Wednesday.
Reuters: Tainted biotech maize impounded at Irish port
Washington Post: EU: Ireland Intercepts U.S. Biotech Corn
EU press release
posted Thursday, May 26, 2005
Background: A success story from a GMO free island down under
Tasmania is one of few territories worldwide that can claim a 100% disease-free status for their food products. There is also an absolute ban on genetically modified (GM) produce and antibiotics in beef production; and many products are organic. ?Our strengths lie in producing high quality, safe food products that appeal to niche and premium markets,? says Alan Campbell of the Tasmanian government.
Fresh plaza: Tasmania cashes in on disease-free status
posted Monday, May 23, 2005
European Regions demand power-sharing over GM crops
Over 250 people from across Europe attended a conference in Brussels to hear regional Ministers and MEP's call for a bigger say in whether GM crops are grown commercially in their region. The number of European regions and provinces now declaring themselves "GM Free zones", or publicly wishing to restrict GM crops, has climbed to 162. Over 4500 local governments and smaller areas in Europe are similarly calling for restrictions to commercial growing. Participants endorsed ten principles on future GMO planting.
FOE/AER: Press Release
Ten principles
posted Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Cyprus: Green Party calls for GMO free Island
The Green Party of Cyprus calls for a GMO free country.
Declaration
posted Friday, May 13, 2005
Poland: GMO free regions conference 11-12 May
Our campaign for a GMO Free Poland is now bringing together Provincial
authorities, activists and farmers in order to try and devise a common
strategy
to enforce the GMO Free Zone status already in place in 9 Polish Provinces.
We are running a conference on the 11th /12th May with participants from
all over Poland to launch this next phase and to build on the momentum
already achieved. It is a critical time for the Polish countryside. The
first GM field
trials have already been announced for this spring and there is the constant
danger of unauthorised seeds finding their way into the market. These are
threats
that need to be directly addressed and, in common with other European
regions, there is no recourse to the law (national or EU) to provide
protection.
International Coalition to Protect the Polish Countryside
posted Friday, May 06, 2005
Hokkaido regional legislation on GMO planting
An ordinance entering into force in January 2006 to control the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in Hokkaido aims to prevent cross-pollination between GM and non-GM crops. The strict regulagtions, which will practically prevent GMO growing aims to gain consumers' confidence and further enhance the image of Hokkaido brands.
Japan for Sustainability
posted Friday, May 06, 2005
Canada: Prince Edward Island considers GMO free status
Canadas "potatoe" island Prince Edward Island might be the fist GMO free area in the country. Hearings are being held by the legislative assembly and a controversial debate is on.
PEI offical web-site: Biotechnology and Prince Edward Island
Wired: Canada Island May Boot GMO Crops
posted Thursday, May 05, 2005
Bulgaria: New GMO law
The new Bulgarian law on GMOs has been published March 27th. It is intended to harmonize with EU legislation, but falls short of that according to "Agrolink" and other Bulgarian NGOs. The law provides for 30 km protection zones around natural protection areas and special protection for organic fields. It also prohibits the release of genetically modified tobacco, rose for oil, grapevines, vegetables and fruits, cotton and wheat.
NGO statement on new Bulgarian GMO law
posted Thursday, May 05, 2005
