Articles

MONTREAL — A tiny, genetically modified seed is pitting Quebec farmers against the biotech industry.

A GM version of alfalfa, a staple in livestock feed, was supposed to be launched in Canada this year. The product, produced with technology by Monsanto, the world’s largest seed-and-chemical company, has already been approved by the federal government. But after protests across the country, farmers learned in March that the controversial seed won’t be here for at least another year. (.....) The Quebec Federation of Milk Producers, the Quebec Federation of Organic Agriculture, the Filière biologique du Québec and the UPA recently declared that they “strongly deplore” the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s approval of GM alfalfa varieties in April 2013. The widespread resistance among farmers and seed companies is one reason that the seed won’t be released this year, says Victor Lefebvre, Quebec director of Pickseed, a company that had planned to sell GM alfalfa.

Katharine Hamnett has spent the morning handing out fliers that read: ''London Fields Caution Danger Unacceptable Risk of Biohazard''. Last week she discovered that the local wild-flower meadow had been sprayed with Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide.

"I've been giving leaflets out to women with babies because I was so concerned," she says, attacking a plate of pad Thai. "I thought they were young single mums. Then I looked at their clothes and thought, 'F---. Nothing but Isabel Marant. A touch of Chloé, a bit of Saint Laurent.' And I realised they were City lawyers taking their baby breaks. Which is even better, because they can help me out with the legal stuff."

Chipotle Mexican Grill has been a consistent performer over the last year. Its bottom line surged 19.7% in fiscal 2013, supported by a top-line growth of 17.7%. It looks like the momentum is continuing into the new fiscal year as evidenced by Chipotle's recent results. This is remarkable considering that the restaurant industry has been struggling with same-store traffic in the negative territory since March 2012. (.....) Chipotle continues to strengthen its food culture through the use of ingredients from more sustainable sources and preparing the food using classic cooking techniques. One of Chipotle's key initiatives is the elimination of genetically modified organisms, or GMO, ingredients from food, and the addition of Sofritas -- the all new vegan menu item -- to 40% of restaurants . Encouraged by the item's success, the company will continue rolling out Sofritas to other locations going forward. Also, Chipotle will continue to shift ingredient sourcing to non-GMO options. In its North America locations, all oil used for cooking is non-GMO, and after a few key steps, all food would be non-GMO ingredient based. Its marketing campaign -- Scarecrow, as well as Farmed and Dangerous -- is also focused on issues of GMO and overuse of antibiotics in livestock farming for creating consumer awareness. As awareness regarding the harmful effects of GMO-based food spreads, more customers should come into Chipotle's fold.

Colorado: For Bradford Heap, the chef-owner of Salt Bistro and Colterra, going 100 percent GMO-free is more than just a good idea: The pledge is part of his own personal mission as a chef, a father, and a world citizen. “This issue belongs to all of us in the food industry,” Heap says. “It’s up to us as both providers and consumers in America to do something about the pervasive corruption in our country’s food supply. We have the power to demand food that is not only good to eat but is good for us and leaves a planet that is good for our children.”

Oregon:“People are thrilled to know they have an option for GMO-free foods and are appreciative, almost to the point of tears,” restaurant owner Glen Hendricks said in an interview with the newspaper. “We had the best January and February here since the first year we opened, and I’m confident to some extent we’re being embraced by the community that appreciates GMO-free, organic and gluten-free.”

Pennsylvania: One chef in Pittsburgh wants to open a conversation. It's about GMOs -- genetically modified organisms. Trevett Hooper unabashedly dreams of a restaurant in his own future that will offer nothing but extremely local organic food year-round, without a genetically modified atom on the plate.

A court of appeal in Colmar this week repealed the convictions of the 54 protesters, ruling that the open-air crop trial was illegal because authorities did not properly assess the risk to the local environment. 'This is a first,' said farmers' union Confederation Paysanne, whose members have frequently been involved in attacking fields of GM crops. 'It is a victory for all opponents of GM crops.' There has long been consumer scepticism towards GM crops in the European Union. A European Commission survey in 2010 found that 71% of those questioned did not want GM ingredients in their food.

Could pesticides - their use and abuse - increase levels of cancer and birth defects? It is a question asked across the vast belt of Argentina where GM crops are grown. In Chaco, the Minister of Public Health wants an independent commission to investigate a growing health crisis. "If the wind changes the agrochemicals come into the house. My uncle just died of cancer. My wife too passed away from cancer. Now many, many people are dying of cancer - it didn't used to be like that. In my opinion, this has to do with the poison they put on the fields." Chaco was once famous for its cotton. Beef cattle dotted the endless plains. Now soya dominates the landscape. Argentina has become one of the world's largest producers of GM soya, with some 20 million hectares under cultivation. It is the nation's leading export.

Jose Miguel Sanz, chairman of the Aragonese Committee for Ecological Agriculture, is urging increased information and transparency for Spanish consumers regarding genetically modified (GM) corn, in the face of debates in Europe on the subject.

Richard Kalmolvathin says non-GMO production is a good start to making agriculture more sustainable. “It’s the spark to the fuse,” he says. “We recommend non-GMO and believe it is the future.”Kalmolvathin’s South Dakota-based company, Verity Farms, LLC is one of a growing number of businesses that are helping US farmers switch to non-GMO and more sustainable farming practices. Verity works with 300-400 farmers throughout the US to help them grow healthier plants, which will produce healthier foods for people and animals.

Dr. Andrés Carrasco, an Argentine neuroscientist who confirmed the devastating effects of glyphosate on embryonic development, has died aged 67. Argentina's national science council CONICET announced on Saturday the death of its former president, who had been in declining health. Carrasco, a professor of Molecular Embryology Laboratory at the University of Buenos Aires, was a widely published expert and a thorn in Monsanto's side: His 2010 study provided scientific evidence that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup, the world’s top-selling herbicide, can cause serious embryonic damage. The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemical Research in Toxicology, found that glyphosate leads to malformations in frog and chicken embryos when applied in doses much lower than what is commonly used in agricultural spraying. It also noted that these malformations were similar to human birth defects observed in GM soy-producing areas exposed to glyphosate.

FAO: The use of GMOs within organic systems is not permitted during any stage of organic food production, processing or handling. As the potential impact of GMOs to both the environment and health is not entirely understood, organic agriculture is taking the precautionary approach and choosing to encourage natural biodiversity. The organic label therefore provides an assurance that GMOs have not been used intentionally in the production and processing of the organic products.

EU: Typical organic farming practices include, absolute prohibition of the use of genetically modified organisms.

USDA: Organic farms and processors do not use genetically modified ingredients.

IFOAM: All organic regulations around the world prohibit the use of GMOs in organic products, as they are in stark contrast to the philosophy of organic farming.

Soil Association: GM crops and ingredients are banned under organic standards. Choosing organic is an effective way to avoid GM in your diet.

Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International: Fairtrade standards include requirements for environmentally sound agricultural practices. The focus areas are: minimized and safe use of agrochemicals, proper and safe management of waste, maintenance of soil fertility and water resources and no use of genetically modified organisms. Fairtrade standards do not require organic certification as part of its requirements. However, organic production is promoted and is rewarded by higher Fairtrade Minimum Prices for organically grown products.