Archive for February, 2007

GM crops not affecting cattle trade: dairy exporter

ABC Rural
Wednesday, 28/02/2007
One of the world’s fastest growing dairy exporters says feeding genetically modified (GM) crops to its cows is not proving to be a barrier to world trade.
Dairy exports from Argentina doubled between 2001 and 2005, accounting for 4 per cent of world trade last year.
Dairy Processors of Argentina president Osvaldo Capellini says Argentina’s [...]

John Anderson explains why GM crops are important for Australian farmers

In this article in Sydney Morning Herald by Mark Metherell, former Australian Prime Minister, John Anderson, laments that his country’s hostile policies towards genetically modified (GM) crops is inappropriate. He is calling on the government to loosen restrictions on the cultivation of GM crops to tackle the current drought ravaging the country.
AUSTRALIA is [...]

Europe impedes improvement of crops in the developing world

Innovations Report
February 26, 2007
On Tuesday the 20 February 2007, Connie Hedegaard, Danish Minister for the Environment announced at a public discussion organised by Friends of Europe, that she was concerned if Europe has a negative effect on countries in the developing world by imposing its standards on the rest of the world with regard to [...]

A Robust Seed and Biotechnology Program Needed in Africa

In a recent meeting, African Union (AU) Ministers of Agriculture endorsed the development of the African Seed and Biotechnology Program (ASPB). The ministers, meeting in Libreville, Gabon, seemed to acknowledge that Africa is in short supply of quality seeds, and that’s why its agricultural sector remains in the doldrums. This situation is self-inflicted, and has [...]

Genetic engineering: Just a matter of time for Africa

By Nigist Tilahun
African Science News
February 22, 2007
Habahikunda Maturo resides in rural Arusha in Tanzania .She is one of the model farmers who have been engaged in growing bananas that are developed with tissue culture. Living in Arusha where bananas are considered part of people’s daily diet Maturo makes about USD1 or TSh 5000 per [...]

GM sugar beet could bring end to weed beet misery

Those who support the argument that growing genetically modified crops can lead to the mushrooming of superweeds have now been proved wrong. A new research on genetically modified herbicide tolerant (GMHT) oilseed rape and sugar beet shows these two crops can themselves fight weeds. This article explains how these two crops are doing just that.

Farmers [...]

Without Transgenics, Brazil Might Refrain from Profiting US$ 9B in 10 years

Brazilian farmers stand to lose $9 billion if their government doesn’t move fast to approve two genetically modified crops - corn and cotton. This article demonstrates how poor policies are preventing farmers from enjoying benefits of genetically modified foods.
By Ribamar Oliveira and Sergio Gobetti
Estado.com.br
BRASÍLIA
February 21, 2007
In case the National Technical Commission on Biosafety [...]

Americans Enjoy GM Food, Why Can’t Kuwaitis?, Asks US Official

By Boie Conrad Dublin
Arab Times Online via Truth About Trade and Technology
Food derived from genetically modified (GM) plants is as safe as those produced from conventional sources, according to the Abu Dhabi-based Regional Director of the Agricultural Trade Office of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), David J. Williams Tuesday during a round table discussion [...]

Study shows positive impact of biotech crops

The Philippine STAR
02/18/2007
After just 10 years of commercialization, biotech crops have made significant, positive impacts on the global environment, according to a new study by Graham Brookes and Peter Barfoot, two UK-based economists.
The study quantifies the cumulative economic and environmental impacts of biotech crops grown during the past decade (1996-2005).
Brookes and Barfoot said biotech [...]

GM food and the harm of hysteria

By Temba Nolutshungu
Business Day
EUROPEAN consumer panic and European Union (EU) regulations about genetically modified (GM) foods threaten millions of starving Africans, who need cheap and reliable crops. Greenpeace has just garnered a million signatures around Europe for a petition to the EU demanding labels for traces of GM organisms in food. This time last year, [...]