In
This Issue:
INDONESIA SAYS
GO TO GM COTTON
Bungaran Sarigih, Indonesia's agriculture minister, announced that his government
will proceed with the planting of genetically modified (GM) cotton in South
Sulawesi. "We promise to issue a new ministerial decree to continue the cultivation
of transgenic cotton in seven regencies in South Sulawesi as long as it is
not harmful to the environment," he said. The new decree will not set a limit
on the acreage allowed to be planted to GM cotton.
Sarigih reported that the government's pilot project covering about 4000 hectares
of cotton fields showed that GM cotton produced 2.2 tons per hectare in contrast
to only 1.4 tons per hectare for the Kanesia cotton commonly planted in Indonesia.
The government hopes to develop 20,000 hectares of GM cotton plants. Existing
cotton production is currently able to meet less than one percent of total
domestic requirements. Indonesia imports 500,000 tons of cotton every year.
GM PAPAYA: NEW
HOPE FOR JAMAICA
Come 2003, Jamaican farmers may begin planting a new variety of papaya that
is resistant to the deadly Ring Spot disease. According to scientist Paula
Tennant, the papaya is now on its third field test and a seed bank is being
developed. She is confident that the GM variety will restore local farmers
to their rightful place in the export market.
For the last eight years, the virulent Ring Spot disease has devastated farms
- killing trees and putting farmers out of business. The disease began its
devastation at the eastern end of the island in 1993 and quickly moved westward.
It slashed production from 21,512 tonnes in 1994 to 5,074 tonnes in 2000. More
than 800 hectares of the 1,200 hectares in production at the time were wiped
out within a year. The program to develop GM papaya began soon after the first
outbreak and is a collaborative effort with US-based Cornell University.
The Jamaican government is planning to hold public consultations over draft
regulations on the introduction and control of GM products as well as the protection
of local biological resources. The draft rules are set to go before Parliament
within six months.
NEW ZEALAND
ACADEMICS SUPPORT ROYAL COMMISSION FINDINGS
The leaders of the country's eight universities have come out in support of
the findings of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification. Professor James
McWha, chair of the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors Committee was quoted as saying "universities
back the Commission's rigor and reasoned analysis of the complex scientific,
cultural, and ethical considerations involved." He also warned the government
against being swayed by some interest groups that were distorting the issues
involved with genetic modification by the dissemination of misinformation. "This
country has considerable expertise in the biological sciences and the scientists
involved are frustrated by the fallacies now being propounded by some GM opponents.
Responsible leadership should not be influenced by argument based on emotion
rather than fact...Above all else, it needs to be remembered that the Royal
Commission on GM heard the best information available and based its findings
on the views of the entire community."
The Commission was an independent review panel set up to report to the government
on the options available to New Zealand to deal with genetic modification,
and to advise on appropriate changes to government policy, regulatory legislation,
public institutions, and the future direction of biotechnology and associated
research. The full report of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification is
available at http://www.gmcommission.govt.nz
NZ'S SCIENCE
ACADEMY LOBBIES PRIME MINISTERS ON FIELD TRIALS
The Royal Society, New Zealand's science academy, told Prime Minister Helen
Clark that her government should allow continued field trials of GM animals
and plants. "Field trials are an essential element in risk and benefit assessment," the
scientists told the Prime Minister in a letter delivered to her last week.
Royal Society chief executive Steve Thompson said that scientists believed
that New Zealand had to take a leadership role in dealing with GM technologies.
The society had "grave concerns" that opponents of the technology circulating
misleading material were now undermining the work of the Royal Commission. "Many
of our members with expertise in the biological sciences feel very frustrated
at seeing these emotive distortions and untruths circulated," said Thompson,
who noted the academy was independent from Government. The group represented
at least 15,000 scientists and other researchers across a wide range of fields,
and had a role in providing independent policy advice on science issues.
"We urge you to give the highest possible weight to the Royal Commission's findings
in coming to your Government's decision regarding genetic modification policy
and legislation," he said.
CHINA SOYBEAN
IMPORT FREEZE MAY SOON BE OVER
Gao Xiushan, president of China National Vegetable Oils Association, told Reuters
that current Chinese regulations for GM food, which have frozen the country's
soybean imports, would be clarified by the government very soon.
China's soybean import trade has been at a virtual standstill since early June
when the country announced that government approval would be required for all
production, sale, and import of GM foods, with safety certificates stating
that they were not harmful to human, animals, or the environment. Gao further
stated that the new quarantine regulations covering bean imports would be announced,
to tie in with the new GMO regulations, " We just know that the quarantine
authority has been paid much more attention by the government, so after detailed
regulations on GMOs come out, the quarantine authority will take some steps."
WORLD COTTON
IS 10% GM
The National Cotton Council of America reported to the International Cotton
Advisory Committee that a tenth of world cotton area in 2001 was planted to
transgenic varieties that resist insects. Countries that planted transgenic
varieties were Argentina, Australia, China, Mexico, South Africa and the United
States.
"The popularity of transgenic cotton varieties is due to improvements in insect
pest management and additional options in grass and weed control," the report
said. An analysis of existing data on transgenic cotton varieties had found no
evidence to support the notion that genetically engineering cotton had an effect
on fiber quality.
UK REPORT OPENS
DOOR TO GM CROPS
A report of the British Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission
not only lowered the environmental hurdle for the commercialization of genetically
modified (GM) crops but also recognizes the need for more general public acceptance.
The commission recognizes that any environmental impact of GM crops may not
necessarily be negative. Hence, this view taken together with research on environment
enhancing cultural practices, should be taken into consideration in the final
analysis and decision-making.
It further recommended clarity and precision in government press releases and
publications, "so that messages are not distorted and cannot easily be misinterpreted."
The commission, established in June 2000, was tasked "to offer strategic advice
to Government on biotechnology issues which impact on agriculture and the environment" and
to liaise with other government bodies.
More information on the report can be obtained from http://www.openi.co.uk/oi010917.htm
EU'S SCP SAYS DIFFICULT TO LABEL
GM-FREE PRODUCTS
The European Commission Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General's
Scientific Committee on Plants (SCP) says that it may not be possible to meet
the new 1% labeling threshold for GM-free products laid down in recent EU legislation.
With the scientific opinion currently available, the SCP believes that the
GM seed thresholds suggested by the Commission can only be achieved using ideal
production practices.
The Committee was asked for its opinion following the adoption of an earlier
proposal which stated that the accidental presence of up to 1% of GM material
in food and animal feed should be exempt from GM labeling obligations. In order
for this target to be achieved, growers and companies would need to adopt measures
that minimize the percentage of GM seed sown in crops and restrict pollen,
and therefore gene flow. |
