News
EU: EFSA scientific panel shake up
The scientific panel on GMOs of the European Food Safety authority is about to be re-appointed. The 21 scientists from 13 countries have been frequently accused of rubber stamping GMO approvals and neglecting critical science. "EFSA is now installing a new set of scientists and this time, public health and environmental safety must be put before the interests of big business," demanded Friends of the Earth.
FoE: Friends of the Earth demands sacking of industry scientists in
EFSA shake up
posted Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Austrian region of Styria adopts landmark GMO law
For the first time an EU member states region has adopted precautionary legal provisions on co-existence, which require the prevention of any GM contamination in neighboring fields at a level of 0,1%. This flies in the face of the EU Commissions position that co-existence measures should be no stricter than ensuring prevention of 0,9% contamination. The co-existence provisions, which under Austrian law are being set at the regional level, also require mandatory regional approval of GM planting and provide for special measures against impairment of protected areas.
Styrian GMO law (English translation)
Steiermärkisches Gentechnik-Vorsorgegesetz, 2006 (German original)
posted Friday, May 26, 2006
Greece: Why all political parties reject GMOs
"The environment minister who gives in and allows GMOs into this country will never be minister again," Nikos Lappas, head of Greece's largest farmers' union, told the International Herald Tribune.
IHT: In EU, front lines in food war
posted Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Ireland: BASF withdraws potato experiment
BASF annonced it will not go ahead with its controversial
GMO potato experiment in the Irish County of Meath this year, and may cancel it altogether, according to GMO free Ireland.
The obligations to reduce the
risk of cross-contamination and to pay the costs of an independent
monitoring of health and environmental impacts were inacceptable BASF complained.
GMfree Ireland: BASF admits defeat of GMO potato experiment
posted Wednesday, May 24, 2006
EU Council of Ministers starts next round on Coexistence
The EU Council on Agriculture and Fisheries will discuss within the next days the controversy on seed threshholds, sustainability and the labelling of organic products.
Europolitix.com: Organic food and GM crops top EU agriculture bill
EU Council: Background Agriculture and Fisheries Council 22 May 2006
EU Council: List of preparatory papers
posted Monday, May 22, 2006
More reactions on the WTO verdict on the EU GMO moratorium
While the Financial Express in India claims that WTO plays god over transgenics right at the moment when India is busy finalising its labeling norms on GMOs, the American Soygrowers Association considers the EU traceability and labeling review a whitewash
The Financial Express India
ASA (American Soygrowers Association)
posted Wednesday, May 17, 2006
EFSA to cooperate on GMO risk assessment
Scientific experts from European Union member states yesterday met with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to discuss ways to strengthen scientific co-operation in the risk assessment of GMOs.
The meeting was set up to address concerns of member states about certain aspects of the risk assessment process for genetically modified organisms.
The two primary issues raised by the member states were the desire to be more involved in EFSAs assessment approach, as well as a request for feedback on how their comments are taken into account.
Nutraingredients USA
posted Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Italian Farmers Association: We don't need GMOs
Our agriculture doesn't need GMO, said CIA (Italian farmers association) president Giuseppe Politi, reasserting the association's position on this issue, speaking in Rome at the convention on GMO "Grano o grane: Ogm alla prova di Governo". Politi said that CIA's commitment "is to focus on cornerstones such as quality, differentiated supply, tradition, food security, respect of public health norms, information, traceability, rules, safeguard of biodiversity and environment, technique innovation and a more rational use of chemistry and research.
AGI online
posted Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Get Active: Help getting Polish GM Seed ban into Law
On 27 April 2006, the Polish Seym (lower house) passed an Act about changes in the Seed Production Act and the Plant Protection Act. The Act had already been passed by the Senate (upper house). The Act still has to be signed by the President. It will not become Law until this is done - and he will be under a lot of pressure from the biotech corporations not to sign! We therefore URGENTLY request you to send letters concerning this issue to the Polish President. The Polish Seeds Act, if signed, will set a precident for the whole of Europe and greatly increase pressure for an EU law giving rights to both regions and countries to ban GMO's.
ICPPC: Further background and draft letter to the Polish President
posted Friday, May 12, 2006
Ireland: BASF forced to cancel GMO experiment
Meath Co. Council unanimously passed two motions on Monday 8 May, that are widely expected to force the world's largest chemicals company BASF to abandon a controversial experiment with patented GMO potatoes. The Council's first motion declares Meath a GMO-free zone. This makes Meath the sixth county on the island to prohibit GMO seeds and crops. The Council's second motion calls on the EPA to not allow the experimental growing of any GMO seeds or crops in Ireland.
GM-free Ireland: Press Release
Irish Labour Party joins GM-free Ireland campaign
posted Thursday, May 11, 2006
New Commission Report on Labelling and Traceability published
The report is on implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003 concerning the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and the traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC
Report from the Commission
posted Thursday, May 11, 2006
EU Committee backs plan to increase GMO transparency
A European Union committee said Wednesday it had agreed to force Europe's laboratory to adopt international rules which will make increase transparency about its decisions on genetically modified organisms.
checkbiotech.org
posted Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Slovakia drops GMO ban
From now on, in previously GM-free Slovakia, it should be possible to plant transgenic corn. Monsanto is ready for "experimental" planting.
checkbiotech.org: Slovakia at the edge of a transgenic downfall
posted Wednesday, May 10, 2006
France: Monsantos continues GMO testing - Protesters enter Monsanto factory
The French arm of US biotech giant Monsanto said on Friday it would continue experiments on genetically modified crops in France despite a court ruling stopping some of its tests. On the same day around 100 environmental activists entered a factory belonging to Monsanto in southwest France aiming to destroy any genetically modified seeds.
Reuters: Monsanto Continues French GMO Tests Despite Ruling
Reuters: Anti-GMO Groups Enter French Monsanto Factory
posted Monday, May 08, 2006
Satvocha declared as first GMO-free Region in Bulgaria
AGROLINK Association, GMO free Bulgaria coalition and Municipality of Satovcha announced the declaration of the first GMO free municipality in Bulgaria. The GMO free zone declaration commits the municipality administration to the extent of its legal and organisation powers, to cultivate no genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on municipality land.
posted Monday, May 08, 2006
Ireland: Massive opposition to GM potato trials
BASF, the German agro-chemical multinational and the Irish government are facing massive public opposition to field trials with genetically engineered potatoes.
GMfree Ireland potato web-site with links to media, official and activity sites
Reuters: Ireland Gives Go-Ahead for GMO Potato Trials
posted Friday, May 05, 2006
Coexistence to be discussed by EU ministers, results unlikely
Following a major coexistence conference held last month in Vienna, the EU ministers are expected to instruct the Commission to come up with specific growing guidelines for GMOs and thresholds for seed contamination. Swift action however is not expected.
Reuters: EU Executive Faces Pressure to Deal With GMO Laws
posted Friday, May 05, 2006
Italian Court rules: Framework Law on Coexistence unconstitutional
While the Italian Parliament passed a coexistence law in January 2005, it provided only the framework in which the Regions would develop their implementing regulations. Now the Italian Constitutional Court has ruled that Italy?s Framework Law on Coexistence is unconstitutional.
Truth about Trade
posted Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Veles - the first GMO free municipality in Macedonia
On April 26th the municipal council of the town of Veles, Macedonia, declared its territory GMO free, including the prohibition of growing and production of GMOs, detailed provisions for controls and an mandate to demand similar action from the government of Macedonia.
The GMO free declaration of Veles
More about the City of Veles
posted Tuesday, May 02, 2006
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