In
This Issue:
EC PREPARES
GM AUTHORIZATION PROCESS
The European Commission (EC), while considering to drop its moratorium on new
genetically (GM) crop approvals, is preparing to restart the authorization
process.
The EU regulatory committee that decides whether to grant market licenses for
new GM crops will be convened before the end of the year. It will ask to approve
a host of applications.
Prior to this regulatory meeting, national experts will discuss on October
16, the traceability and labeling proposal. Health and Agriculture Commissioners
David Byrne and Franz Fischler called on governments to "show leadership" on
GMOs now that the Commission had presented a proposal for comprehensive EU
rules on the traceability and labeling of foods derived from transgenic crops.
CANADIAN SCIENTISTS
PAVE WAY FOR RESISTANT POTATO
By studying the genetics of a wild Mexican potato species, Solanum innatisectum,
Canadian scientists have made initial steps toward developing a high quality
potato cultivar that resists two important disease and insect problems.
Researchers led by Qin Chen, of the Lethbridge Research Centre have discovered
high levels of resistance to late blight disease and the Colorado potato beetle
in S. pinnatisectum. They look forward to transferring this combined
resistance into a new potato cultivar. This breakthrough will greatly cut down
the use of chemical and fungicide treatments.
Chen claims that the types of resistance found in the Mexican species are strong
enough to provide full protection on their own. In the case of late blight,
Chen has identified two highly-resistant mechanisms. The first, controlled
by one or two genes, confers full resistance to late blight. The second, controlled
by three to five genes, confers a slightly different type of resistance termed
hypersensitivity. The disease can attach to the leaf of the plant, but quickly
dies and does not spread.
EC COMMITTEE SUPPORTS
GLUFOSINATE-TOLERANT CORN
The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Plants (SCP) has stated that
there is "no evidence" that T25, a glufosinate-tolerant corn developed by Aventis
is likely to cause adverse effects on human or animal health or the environment.
The plant contains a phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) gene from Streptomyces
viridochromogenes, as well as an antibiotic resistance marker gene.
The Committee noted that around 25% of the ampicillin resistance gene incorporated
in the construct is missing, and that the resistance proteins would not be
expressed. The genetically modified plant is deemed "substantially equivalent
to its non-GM counterpart except for the introduced trait".
The opinion
does note room for improvement in the assessment of the PAT protein
survival following ingestion. However, it concludes that "the weight
of evidence provided by the company and available elsewhere leads
the Committee to conclude that there is no significant risk to humans
or livestock following ingestion of the product."
PHILIPPINES TO
TEST BIOTECH RICE
The Philippines' first biotechnology generated rice variety, which is resistant
to a major plant disease, will be tested in two trial sites in Laguna and Nueva
Ecija. The biotech rice, IR72 modified with a gene termed Xa-21, was proven
in greenhouse inoculation tests to resist nine types of bacterial blight disease.
Researchers of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) developed
and greenhouse-tested the biotech rice in cooperation with researchers of the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The field trial, according to
Rhodora Aldemita, a PhilRice researcher, will provide data on the performance
of the biotech rice in the natural environment.
The field trials will commence as soon as requirements of the National Committee
on Biosafety of the Philippines are met.
INDIA TO REGULATE
GM FARM IMPORTS
J.N.L. Srivastava, federal agriculture secretary, told Reuters that India plans
to regulate imports of genetically modified (GM) agricultural products due
to concerns about their effects on health and the environment. He added "We
are currently formulating new rules and procedures which will be notified soon."
Srivastava said that the government's objective was not to stop imports but
to ensure there was adequate information about the commodities that came into
the country. Traders may have to obtain prior permission from the environment
ministry to import GM items.
THAI OFFICIALS:
LIFT FIELD TEST BAN
The Thai Department of Agriculture was cited as reiterating demand that the
ban of field tests of GM plants be lifted. Hiran Hiranpradit, the Department's
senior expert in crop production was quoted as saying "Continuing the ban on
GM field trials will cause great damage to the country, especially in agricultural
research and development." The Thai government agreed to impose the ban last
year as proposed by the Assembly of the Poor.
Similarly, Ampon Kittiampon, the Agriculture Ministry's assistant permanent
secretary, said lifting the ban would greatly contribute to an increase in
knowledge and understanding of the new technology. |
