News

US rice farmers started lawsuit against Bayer

Rice farmers in Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and California have sued Bayer CropScience, alleging its genetically modified rice has contaminated the crop, attorneys for the farmers said on Monday.

Reuters: US rice farmers sue Bayer CropScience over GM rice

posted Tuesday, August 29, 2006

US: New bill to block local GMO bans

California Republicans and Democrats joined forces to approve a bill that would prevent local governments from banning genetically modified crops. The legislation, backed by the California Farm Bureau Federation and large agribusiness concerns such as Monsanto passed the Assembly with a 46-19 bipartisan majority.

Monterey Herald: Genetic crop bill OK'd by Assembly

posted Monday, August 28, 2006

GM Rice: USDA certifies detection test

USDA on Thursday certified tests from Bayer CropScience that detects when an unapproved genetically modified rice known as LLRICE 601 is present in commercial rice. One test could cost as much as $300, but it is uncertain who will pay for the testing, U.S. Agriculture Department said.

Reuters: Test to detect Bayer GMO rice could cost $300: USDA

posted Saturday, August 26, 2006

EU takes action to stop illegal rice imports from the US

The European Commission has adopted a decision requiring imports of long grain rice from the USA to be certified as free from the unauthorised GMO LL Rice 601. The emergency measures adopted by the Commission mean that, with immediate effect, only consignments of US long grain rice that have been tested by an accredited laboratory using a validated testing method and accompanied by a certificate assuring the absence of LL Rice 601, can enter the EU.

Commission requires certification of US rice exports to stop unauthorised GMO entering the EU

posted Thursday, August 24, 2006

GM rice from Bayer contaminates US rice supply

The US Agricultural Department announced that an unapproved rice variety "LL 601" genetically engineered by Bayer Crop Science has contaminated US rice stocks. Japan has cut off rice imports from the US. US rice exports are around 1 billion US $ annually. Other nations are expected to follow. How the GM rice, which has been dropped in 2001, has reached the supply chain is still unknown. Bayer announced as a reaction that it would now seek approval for the GM rice as safe food. Bayer had informed USDA already July 31st. But the ministry and the company withheld the informationform the public until August 18th.

Washington Post: U.S. Rice Supply Contaminated

Food Navigator: GM rice contaminates US food supply

CBS: Japan closes market for US long corn rice

USDA press release: Genetically engineered rice

EU Commission: Trace amounts of non-authorised GM rice on US market

FoE Press Release: EU urged to ban North American rice

GMWatch: Background on testing practices and significance of the case

posted Sunday, August 20, 2006

California: Vote on state legislation to prevent GMO free counties

The Parliament fiercely discusses a bill that would prevent local governments from banning GMOs on their territory.

Fresno Bee: Environmentalists, organic farmers in duel with growers over bill

posted Friday, August 18, 2006

France: GM field destruction and pro-GM protest

The first destruction of a commercial field of GM maize by activists of "Coordination Paysanne" was countered by a protest of pro-GM farmers.

AP: Genetically Modified Crops Vandalized

Reuters: French Farmers Protest Against GMO Maize Destruction

UPI: Eat To Live - GM cornfields under attack

posted Monday, August 07, 2006