Articles

A report on the outcome of the meeting of Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

(29 September to 3 October 2014)

By Lim Li Lin (Third World Network) and Doreen Stabinsky (College of the Atlantic, USA)

After a week of sometimes rather contentious negotiations, countries finally agreed on continued work on the international regulation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Clashes between countries that consider that GMOs require careful regulation, and those that continue to espouse the benefits of GMOs and hence minimal regulation, resulted in modest progress for the international biosafety regime.

The 7th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) serving as the Meeting of the Parties (COP-MOP7) to the United Nations Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was held in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea, on 29 September to 3 October. These meetings are held every two years.

The Cartagena Protocol enjoys nearly universal membership, with 168 Parties. Many of the countries that are not Parties to the Protocol are large GMO producing and exporting countries, such as the United States, Canada and Argentina. A number of developing country Parties such as Brazil and Paraguay are increasingly becoming significant producers and exporters of genetically modified soya beans. In addition, some Parties or their representatives are politically or ideologically aligned with the US and its biotechnology industry.

At this meeting, the polarized positions of countries resulted in protracted squabbling during the discussions on the two issues central to decision making on GMOs - risk assessment and risk management, and socio-economic considerations.

Under the Protocol, countries are required to conduct a risk assessment in order to take decisions on whether or not to import living modified organisms (LMOs), the term used in the Protocol. Furthermore, socio-economic considerations may be taken into account when taking decisions on LMOs. Most developing countries in particular, place great emphasis on socio-economic considerations, alongside the scientific and technical risk issues, when making decisions on LMOs.

Closing Statement by Civil Society at COP-MOP7

While we welcome the continued work on risk assessment and socio-economic considerations via the continuation of two AHTEGs, progress on these issues is regrettably still too little, very late and largely repetitive.

These issues are of central importance to the Protocol, and to many Parties’ implementation of biosafety. There must be no more delay in developing further guidance and guidelines in order to assist Parties in their implementation of the Protocol. Implementation is crucial to safeguarding biological diversity, human health, and the well being of peoples everywhere.

In the composition of the two extended AHTEGs, civil society demands that potential conflict of interests (including financial and other vested interests) are transparently declared and scrutinized, and that the appropriate steps are taken to avoid conflicts of interest unduly influencing decisions.

We wish to remind Parties that the work of the socio-economic AHTEG must be within the scope and objective of the Protocol, which is to contribute to ensuring an adequate level of protection with regards to LMOs that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health. The issue of the benefits of modern biotechnology is not within the scope, nor in line with the objective of this Protocol.

The sight and sound of Iroquois white corn being roasted and turned is the progress of a culture bringing back traditional food for health and tradition. It's a food used widely by the Iroquois for at least 2,000 years. (.....) For first time in 300 years, 3.5 acres of Iroquois white corn is available at Ganondagan. The Iroquois White Corn Project was started by Dr. John Mowhak after being concerned about Native American nutrition and diabetes. He thought the project was a way to not only return to physical health but spiritual tradition. After his passing, the project was moved to Ganondagan. It's considered to be a non-GMO project verified and gluten-free food. The products are now offered in grocery stores.

Vytenis Andriukaitis, Commissioner-designate for Health and Food Safety, told MEPs today (30 September) during his confirmation hearing that the EU would not lower its safety standards as result of negotiations over the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

Consumer rights on the table in US-EU trade talks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Seventy consumer, farm and food groups, and businesses urged the Obama Administration in a letter today not to restrict efforts to label genetically modified foods in the ongoing and secret U.S.-EU trade talks. Through negotiations on the Transatlantic Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) with the European Union, the U.S. Trade Representative seeks to establish common regulations covering consumer protections, and has targeted the European Union’s regulations of genetically modified foods, which includes consumer labeling. U.S. and EU agribusiness firms have been open about their desire to eliminate GMO labeling laws under TAFTA—including the rising number of U.S. states moving to require GMO labeling. “Once again, the USTR is working to give corporations their TAFTA-created 'rights' to violate the rights and wishes of people to know what is in their food,” said Dena Hoff, VP of the National Family Farm Coalition. “GMO labeling is desired by at least three of every four consumers; it is time for the USTR to respect the sovereignty of nations and the desires of the people who live in them instead of telling consumers to ‘eat and shut up, or else.’” The groups expressed concerns that a TAFTA chapter called “technical barriers to trade” would limit governments’ ability to maintain or establish product labels for consumers. This year, Vermont was the first state to pass required GMO labeling without any restrictions. Maine and Connecticut passed GMO labeling laws last year contingent on neighboring states also passing GMO labeling laws. More than 20 states are also considering laws, including major GMO labeling initiatives on the ballot in Colorado and Oregon this fall.

Governor signs bill banning commercial production of genetically modified salmon

Gov. Jerry Brown signed a North Coast lawmaker’s bill banning the commercial production of genetically altered salmon. AB 504, authored by Assemblyman Wes Chesbro, D-Arcata, extends the prohibition of spawning or cultivating so-called “transgenic salmonids” in the Pacific Ocean to all waters of the state. The hatchery production and stocking of such fish also is prohibited. The legislation protects the state’s native steelhead trout and salmon populations, Chesbro said. He noted that federal food and drug regulators are reviewing an application by a company, AquaBounty Technologies, that seeks to raise genetically altered salmon in the United States. (.....) The bill was sponsored by the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations.

Meeting on the Safe Use of Living Modified Organisms

- First of three major United Nations meetings opens Monday

Pyeongchang/Montreal, 26 September 2014 – On Monday, delegates from around the world will convene for the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP MOP 7). The meeting will discuss and adopt further decisions to contribute to ensuring the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology and consider the issue of integrating biosafety into other relevant national initiatives to enhance further implementation. The Cartagena Protocol, an additional agreement to the Convention on Biodiversity, entered into force on 11 September 2003. To date, 168 countries are Parties to the Protocol. The Supplementary Protocol, an additional agreement to the Cartagena Protocol, was adopted in Nagoya, Japan in 2010. To date, 26 countries are Parties to the Supplementary Protocol. It will enter into force 90 days after 40 Parties have acceded or ratified it. The latest country to accede to the Cartagena Protocol and the Supplementary Protocol is the United Arab Emirates on 12 September 2014.

New approaches to food systems needed to cope with climate change

FAO Director-General addresses UN Climate Change Summit

23 September 2014, New York - Overcoming climate change is central to achieving a sustainable future for the planet's growing population, and food security must lie at the heart of that effort, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said here today in a speech at the UN Climate Summit.

Interview: GMO debates clouding bigger picture on sustainability (Agra Europe)

The role of biotechnology in the food supply chain remains a highly divisive issue in Europe and while the need for more ‘sustainability’ in agriculture is widely agreed on, there is little consensus on how this can actually be achieved. In an exclusive interview with Agra Europe, ProTerra Foundation Executive Director Sibyl Anwander discusses sustainability issues, arguing that GMO safety is not yet clear, that herbicide resistance and resource efficiency are the real challenges and that global crop supply chains need more transparency and stability.

(.....)

ProTerra is involved in the ‘Brussel Soy Declaration’, for retailers supporting more production of non-GM soya in Brazil, and the ‘Danube Soya Initiative’, aiming to reduce EU dependence on imported soya for feed and boost cultivation of non-GM soya in the Danube region. How can the reliance be reduced – are the two initiatives having an impact?

EU soyabean imports are actually slowly decreasing, especially from the US. This is partly due to a fall in meat consumption since the economic crisis began, and more EU production.

The Danube Soya Initiative is gaining in importance, partly due to the incentives created by the EU’s recent CAP reform [the forthcoming ‘greening’ payment - see below].

For ProTerra, we are expecting an increase in non-GMO soya for next year, given the negotiations between the German retail sector and the poultry industry. If an agreement in the whole retail sector can be achieved, there could also be an impact later in the pork market. There is also rising interest from the aquaculture industry, for non-GMO fish feed.

The big market growth is in China, but China is starting to care if its feed imports are GM or non-GM and is concerned about the competitiveness of domestic production. There have also been food health crises in Chinese cities and the emerging middle class, wealthier and better informed, are willing to pay more for their food.

(.....)

Join CBAN at events in Alberta, Oct 2-3, Calgary and Edmonton

What's Next for GMOs? Genetically Modified Food and Our Future

Do genetically modified (GM) crops and foods have a future in Canada? How would farmers and consumers be impacted by a GM "non-browning" apple or GM alfalfa? Bring your questions and participate in this important discussion!

Featuring: Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, Ottawa

Oct 2: University of Calgary. Thursday October 2nd, 4:00-5:30PM. Science Theatres 145. Presented by Blush Lane Organic Market and Sunnyside Organic Market.

Oct 2: Calgary. Thursday October 2nd, 7- 9PM Ambrose University. Free Admission, Please register at Blush Lane Organic Market www.blushlane.com Refreshments & Door Prizes! Presented by Blush Lane Organic Market

Oct 3: Edmonton. Friday October 3rd, 7- 9PM Roots on Whyte Community Building. Free Admission, Please register at Blush Lane Organic Market www.blushlane.com Refreshments & Door Prizes! Presented by Blush Lane Organic Market

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