In
This Issue:
GM
Cotton Changes Lives for South African Farmers
Small
farmers in the Makhatini plains of South Africa are enjoying the
benefits of planting genetically modified, insect resistant cotton
for the last three years now. The tough chore of spraying insecticide
which used to be done eight times a year on the traditional variety
has now been reduced to only two sprayings. In addition, yields have
increased and farmers have more income.
Marc Mennessier
of Le Figaro, reports that the GM cotton experience is changing the
lives of farmers. Only five farmers tried Bollgard, a cotton strain
from Monsanto, in its first year of introduction. Now, half of the
cotton area in the community is now planted to this GM cotton. The
shift to the GM variety is due to changes as a result of lesser insecticide
use.
Farmers
no longer have to be bothered by contamination during spraying and
from the risk of using empty insecticide containers often used to
carry drinking water. They also save on time since it takes a day
to go buy the insecticide from the nearest store. Farmers also registered
higher yields, about 33% on the average, and in some cases even up
to 80%. Johan van Jaarveld, agronomist, explains that "the Bollgard
strain makes its possible for a crop to express all its genetic potential." Already,
net earnings of farmers have gone up by 1,100 rands a hectare.
South
Africa is the only country in Africa to have put into place rules
for the commercial growing of GM crops. Presently, two strains have
been officially approved for marketing: Monsanto's Bollgard and Yieldgard
corn, both of which are genetically resistant to insects. Crops being
studied or under consideration for filing include strawberries, corn,
sorghum, potatoes and sugarcane.
Western
Australia Oks GM Crops
The State
Government of Western Australia, through its Agriculture Ministry,
has released an interim policy on genetically modified (GM) crops.
The policy could allow gene technology companies to introduce GM
crops in the state under strict national regulations which will take
effect June 21, 2001. It warned, however, that any problems could
result in the program being suspended for at least five years.
Agriculture
Minister Kim Chase aid that the State Government was prepared to
pass mirroring legislation which would enable crops to be planted.
He added that the new laws would improve the regulatory system, giving
extra powers to protect human health, the environment and safety.
In addition, locations of GM trials could be publicized.
CSIRO
Develops GM Cotton that Produces Healthy Cooking Oil
The world's
first cotton plants genetically modified to produce healthier cooking
oils and margarines have been developed by Commonwealth Scientific
and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Plant Industry.
Cottonseed
oil is already used extensively as an ingredient in margarines and
cooking oils, particularly in the food service sector. However, to
make it suitable for these uses it is generally subjected to a process
known as 'hydrogenation' which can produce cholesterol-raising trans
fatty acids as a by-product.
"Oil from
our improved cottonseed is suitable for cooking purposes without
the need for hydrogenation," says Dr Allan Green, leader of the research
team. "Products made from these oils will be healthier because they
will not contain trans fatty acids."
Korean
Task Force for GMOs
The Korean
government will launch a task force to monitor environmentally harmful
organisms created through genetic modification. According to the
Ministry of Environment, the task force will monitor GMOs being released
into the environment that can threaten human health and the ecosystem.
The "living modified organisms" refer to any biological entity capable
of transferring or replicating genetic material, including sterile
organisms, viruses and viroids. Organisms found harmful to the ecosphere,
crops and oceans will be prohibited from exports and imports, or
transboundary movements.
The task
force will consist of seven full-time specialists in microorganisms,
animals and plants, biological engineering and ecology, as well as
10 part-time professors. Aside from assessing the safety standards
of GMOs and drawing up biosafety measures, the committee will also
act as the nation's information center.
In related
developments, guidelines to protect Korea's agricultural sector from
genetically modified (GM) organisms will come into effect in July.
The guidelines were formulated by Korea's Ministry of Agriculture
and Forestry. Under the guidelines, bioengineered agricultural products,
whether domestic or imported, will be able to get clearance from
the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry before being distributed
locally. The Ministry will operate a special inspection committee
at a designated examination center. The committee will consist of
15 members in the fields of agriculture, plant pathology, molecular
biology and ecology. Examination results will be up for public review
for 20 days, and citizens can obtain a written copy within 270 days
of the test results. Test submitters have 60 days to file an objection.
Chinese
Consumers Want GM Labels
Almost
three in four consumers support the setting up of a compulsory labeling
system for genetically modified food immediately or after a voluntary
phase. A survey conducted by the Democratic Party likewise found
out that 52% believed the law should be amended to make labeling
of modified food mandatory. Another 22% said that food manufacturers
should be allowed to carry out voluntary labeling if it was followed
by a mandatory system after a grace period. Only 18% said voluntary
labeling alone was sufficient.
Legislator
Fred Wah-ming who helped organized the survey remarked that the results
may require authorities to begin random and comprehensive inspections
whose results should be made public.
Monsanto
Creates Biotech Advisory Council
Monsanto
President and Chief Executive Officer Hendrik Verfaillie announced
the formation of the Biotechnology Advisory Council, an independent
advisory body comprised of policy, business and opinion leaders.
This council is to provide inputs on how Monsanto should serve society
by sharing the perspectives of external constituencies, identifying
emerging issues, reviewing progress on the New Monsanto Pledge and
by engaging in intensive dialogue on important decisions and policy.
Verfaillie
added that "By establishing a Biotechnology Advisory Council, we've
put in place a formal mechanism to engage a diverse group of people
from a variety of disciplines and perspectives in dialogue and turn
what we hear into action."
In November,
Verfaillie announced the New Monsanto Pledge, a five-point declaration
that governs how Monsanto will behave as a new company. Foremost
among the five areas of commitment outlined in the Pledge - Dialogue,
Transparency, Sharing, Respect and Delivering Benefits - is the commitment
to have "an ongoing dialogue with all interested parties to understand
the issues and concerns related to this technology." The New Pledge
specifically states: "We commit to create an external Biotechnology
Advisory Council from a range of constituencies with an interest
in biotechnology to meet, discuss, advise and help us make decisions."
Iberia's
Feed Groups Want GMO Inputs
Animal
feed makers from Spain and Portugal welcome using more controversial
genetically modified (GMO) grains - if legislators would let them.
Speakers at a two-day biotechnology conference, organized by Portugal's
Feed Compounders' Association (IACA), said they thought consumer
fears in Europe and protests by ecological groups against GMOs were
unfounded.
IACA president
Jaime Picarra said Portugal was even more dependent than Spain on
imported soybean and maize, which accounted for 47% of the industry's
raw materials, and needed to keep costs down to compete with international
peers. Leon and other speakers said European Union rules forbade
them to import GM corn, but did allow them to buy GMO soya beans
and meal from the United States or Argentina.¨ |
