In
This Issue:
NEW CANOLA
HYBRIDS RECOMMENDED FOR REGISTRATION
Six new canola hybrids developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., including
three with the Roundup Ready(R) trait, were recommended for registration in
Winnipeg, Canada. The country is the world's major producer of canola.
Bruce Harrison, Product and Sales Manager for Proven Seed in Western Canada
says this next generation of hybrids will set new standards for canola growers.
These hybrids showed an average 30 per cent increase in yield over check varieties.
In addition, results from more than 40 common site comparisons from large,
farmer-run strip trials showed that hybrids consistently showed a three to
five bushel (0.108-.18 cubic meter) per acre advantage over leading open-pollinated
varieties with the Roundup Ready trait.
Neil Harker, a weed scientist from Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada, says that Canadian farmers have enjoyed tremendous
advantages from growing genetically
modified (GM) canola over the past seven years, particularly in the area of
weed control. "We have a very significant resistance problem but I think we
have seen some sort of reprieve due to transgenics and have slowed down that
selection pressure," Harker elaborated.
US ACADEMY CALLS
FOR TIGHTER CROP MONITORING
A study by the US National Academy of Sciences calls for
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
of the Department of Agriculture to set up
an external scientific advisory panel to enhance the rigor of proposed regulatory
changes. Chaired by Fred Gould, an entomologist at North Carolina State University,
the study panel declared that conventional crops may also pose environmental
risks. Saying that conventional breeding techniques such as mutagenesis and
embryo rescue, also involve genetic manipulation, they should be monitored
as well.
The study suggests that the potential environmental effects
of conventionally bred crops should be reevaluated. It
also calls for environmental monitoring
of crops after commercialization to ensure that earlier risk assessments have
been accurate.
Michael Phillips, executive director for food and agriculture
at the Biotechnology Industry Organization, however, says
that thousands of products have been introduced
so far "without any significant harm either to food safety or to the environment." He
claims that the agriculture department's existing regulatory system is viewed
as "the gold standard" around the world.
For the original copy of the report visit http://books.nap.edu/books/0309082633/html/index.html
CIMMYT RESPONDS TO GM CORN STATEMENT
The Centro Internacional de Mejoramineto de Maiz y Trigo (CIMMYT) has issued
a response to a joint statement by the Action Group on Erosion, Technology
and Concentration and Food First regarding the possible introgression of transgenes
into Mexican corn landraces or criollos, which is of particular concern because
Mexico is the center of origin and domestication for corn.
The joint statement declared that the Director General
of CIMMYT, Professor Timothy Reeves, "has stood by . . . two main points: there is contamination
[sic] in a Center of Diversity, and it is only a matter of time before that
contamination [sic] reaches into the gene bank-if it hasn't already occurred." The
statement accused CIMMYT of being silent on this issue and "hiding behind a
debate they themselves understand to be irrelevant on methodologies of GM detection".
CIMMYT said that the joint statement resorted to inaccurate
or unsubstantiated information. They stressed that CIMMYT
scientists are actively involved in
trying to get a clear picture of whether transgenes have actually arrived,
and if so, assess the extent of the introduction. A major report is expected
to be presented in the coming weeks.
In addition, CIMMYT stressed the need to adhere to science
and rigorous research methods to assure reliable statements
about the status of transgenic corn in
farmers' fields.
For more information visit: http://www.cimmyt.org/whatiscimmyt/transgenic/
cimmyt_responds_22feb02.htm
Bt COTTON NEARS APPROVAL IN INDIA
Dr. Panjab Singh, Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR), disclosed that it has already forwarded the results of the Bt cotton
trials to the Genetic Engineering and Approval Committee of the environmental
ministry for deliberation. The final decision whether to proceed with the commercialization
of the crop is due to be released next month.
The field trials, which were conducted by ICAR were done on about 25 to 30
farms in the south, central and western parts of the country. The report shows
that Bt cotton yields six to eight quintals (600-800 kg) more than non-Bt cotton
and that the number of insecticide sprayings are significantly reduced. At
present, India's cotton fields account for about 55 percent of its total pesticide
application.
The institute is currently developing cotton plants using indigenous genes
to impart resistance to a variety of pests. Singh adds that these crops will
probably undergo field-testing in two years time.
UNITED STATES
PUSHES FOR GM FOOD ADOPTION
The United States is taking the initiative to promote biotechnology worldwide.
Alan Larson, US Undersecretary for Economics, Business and Agricultural Affairs,
informed the participants at the Agricultural Outlook Forum 2002 that the US
is taking steps to spread more information regarding the benefits of biotech
products like reduced pesticide and insecticide usage, increased shelf life
of products, better nutrition and other significant health benefits. Aside
from information dissemination, the US is working with other countries in paving
the way so that poor farmers will have access to the new technology.
The United States has committed one-third of its crop production for export,
making the international agricultural trade very important to the US, says
Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agriculture Services, J. B. Penn.
In other developments, U.S. Trade representative Robert
Zoellick has met with trade ministers in South Africa to
talk about the establishment of free trade
agreements and to appeal to African countries to keep open minds on biotechnology
and genetically modified crops. "It's about productive farmers and feeding
more people in places where there's not enough food", he says.
SURVEY SHOWS
AUSTRALIANS WOULD EAT GM FOOD
Biotechnology Australia reports that a recent survey shows
a majority of Australian consumers are willing to eat genetically
modified foods although they are still
concerned about them. The survey was conducted by the Commonwealth Government
Agency Biotechnology Australia and Quantum Market Research.
Craig Cormick, Manager of Biotechnology Australia's Public
Awareness Program, said that the survey is consistent with
another major tracking survey that
showed more people would eat GM foods than not, although concerns were high.
He added that GM issues were of lesser concern than new and emerging biotechnology
issues such as human health and cloning.
Other major findings of the survey include an increased awareness of biotechnology
issues and a decrease in perception of media bias in reporting GM-related stories.
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