News

Poland: Assembly of Regions demands GMO free country

On the 9th of September 2005 the Assembly of Marshals of the Polish Provinces (*) accepted a statement concerning the planting of genetically modified plants (GMO) in Poland. "The Polish Government should prepare a motion to the European Commission to ban the import of genetically modified products in all areas of the country," the regional representatives conclude.

full story

posted Monday, September 26, 2005

Regional governments expert workshop with EU Commission

A dialogue?meeting between the GMO free Network of the regional and local Autorities of Europe and the EU Commissions DG AGRI will be held on the subject of coexistence of genetically modified crops with traditional and organic farming in Brussels on September 28th at the Central Italian Region?s bureau in Brussels. Further information: riccardo.russu@arsia.toscana.it

posted Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Japan: GMO Free Zone declaration - Tohoku Network

On 3 September 2005, farmers from Yamagata Prefecture and consumers from Miyagi Prefecture gathered in Sendai city in Miyagi, and set up the "GMO Free Zone Declaration - Tohoku Network" (Rep. Nobuyuki Nakagawa, Takahata Conference for Promotion of Organic Agriculture). It was the first fully-fledged trans-regional GMO Free Zone declaration in Japan. On the same day, the network adopted a protest appeal to oppose Tohoku University's iron-deficiency tolerant GM rice field trials.

Bio-Journal

posted Sunday, September 18, 2005

Co-existence, Contamination and GM-Free Zones : Jeopardising Consumer Choice?

An international conference on this issue was organised by Consumers International and the Region of Emilia-Romana. About 450 people from Europe, the USA and Asia attended and discussed scientific evidence on GM contamination and political strategies how to avoid it.

Consumers International - Appeal to EC and world for caution over GMO contamination

foodconsumers report

Conference website at Consumer International

posted Friday, September 09, 2005

Ukraine to ban GM Soya Imports

Ukraine's Farm Ministry said it would ask the government and the parliament to ban imports and planting of genetically modified soybeans in the country.

Reuters: Ukraine Agriculture Ministry Seeks to Ban GMO Soy Imports

posted Friday, September 09, 2005

French farmers grew 500 ha of GM maize clandenstinly

Around 500 ha of GM maize have been grown in the South-West of France with EU approved GMO varieties (Monsanto's Mon810). As there is no French law on GM growing and co-existence in place yet the growing appears to be legal. The public is taken by surprise.

Science Reuters: French farmers head for gene maize harvest

Figaro: OGM : déjà un millier d'hectares en France

posted Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Irish cattle and sheep farmers asociation calls for GM rape seed ban

After the EU Commission has ubber stamped imports of GM oilseed rape GT73 in August Irish farmers are concerned about their GM free status. The cattle and sheep farmers call for a national import ban on the GM rape seed.

IOL: Farmers call for ban on imports of GM rape-seed oil

posted Tuesday, September 06, 2005

GMO free Balkan Congress

A Pan Balkan Congress on 26-27 November 2005 is planned on the subject: "Biodiversity, rural growth for clean environment free of G.M.O. ? GMO free Balkans" by various NGOs of the Region. A preparatory meeting will be held in Thessaloniki September 10th. Contact: nogmo_balkan_soon@yahoo.gr

Announcement and invitation

posted Friday, September 02, 2005

EU Commission authorises import of GM rape GT73

The European Commission has authorised the genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 for import and processing as animal feed. The authorisation is complemented by a recommendation to Monsanto on how to deal with accidental spillage if it should occur. 13 member states had voted against the approval, 6 in favour and 6 abstained. In June the Commission had to repeal an initial version of this authorisation for legal reasons.

Press release: GMOs: Commission authorises import of GM-oilseed rape for use in animal feed

Friends of the Earth: European Commission opens door to genetic contamination

Background: SOS Dossier on GT73

Nature et progres: Un non-sens environnemental, un non-sens économique (Fr)

posted Thursday, September 01, 2005