Archive for February, 2008

S.African GM crops up 30 percent in 2007/08

Source: Reuters
Date: February 27, 2008
South Africa’s genetically modified (GM) crop area rose by 30 percent in the 2007/08 season compared to a massive growth of 180 percent in the previous season, farmer’s union Agri SA said on Wednesday. Read more….

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Genome Biology publishes a key resource for pea genetics

Source: Biomed Central Blog
Date: February 27, 2008
The field of pea genetics received a boost today with the publication of a resource of pea mutants in Genome Biology.The pea, Pisum sativum, is one of the most famous tools used in genetics: school children today learn that the 19th century monk Gregor Mendel studied the pea [...]

VFF says GM crops give farmers ‘choice’

Source: ABC News
Date: February 27, 2008
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is countering calls from anti-genetically modified (GM) food groups for the Government to maintain its ban on genetically modified canola. Read more….

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Biotech agriculture continues to gain in importance in SA as yields are higher

Source: Financial Times
Date: February 21, 2008
Biotech farming is increasing rapidly in SA, with a further 400 000 ha of agricultural land turned over last year to the planting of genetically modified (GM) crops.
This takes the total area under GM cultivation in SA to 1,8m ha - an increase of almost 30% over the area [...]

US, EU in talks to solve biotech crops dispute

Source: Financial Express
Date: February 21, 2008
GENEVA, Feb 20 (Reuters): The United States and European Union are in talks to resolve their dispute over the EU’s ban on genetically modified (GMO) crops, diplomats said yesterday.
But Washington reserved its right to seek sanctions against Brussels by restarting a suspended arbitration process if the talks fail to make [...]

ISAAA reports a surge in biotech crops cultivation

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) has released a report that shows a surge in  cultivation of biotech crops. Contrary to many anti-biotech critics, the surge seems to portend biotech crops striking a nerve with farmers. 
What’s perhaps more interesting is the fact that developing countries continue to perform as well as [...]

GM crops: Biotech agriculture – Time to take GM seriously

Source: World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Date: February 14, 2008
Ethical Corporation, 14 February 2008 - Biotechnology companies say their seeds offer a green answer to the threat of global food shortages. But the evidence for that claim is mixed at best. More….

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EU, US seek arbitration in biotech crops row

Source: Reuters
Date: February 8, 2008
The European Union and United States said on Friday they were seeking arbitration at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in their long-running row over the EU’s ban on biotech crops. More…

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Food Politics, Half-Baked

Source: New York Times
Date: February 7, 2008
LAST month the Food and Drug Administration gave the green light to food made from cloned cows, pigs and goats, with the agency’s top food-safety expert, Dr. Stephen Sundlof, declaring, “It is beyond our imagination to even have a theory for why the food is unsafe.” Opponents of biotechnology [...]

GM bananas in field trials

Source: ABC Rural
Date: February 7, 2008
Australia’s first genetically modified bananas could be growing in North Queensland by mid-year.
Scientists from the Queensland University of Technology will trial Cavendish bananas with extra genes that increase the levels of pro-vitamin A and iron in the fruit. More….

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