WTO
RULES IN FAVOR OF GM
The
World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled preliminarily
in favor of the U.S. challenge of the European Union
(EU) moratorium on approvals of genetically modified
(GM) agricultural crops. Joined by Argentina and Canada,
the U.S. asserted that the moratorium violates international
trade rules and undermines the development and use of
biotechnology.
The
WTO has yet to officially release the document to the
media, but members of the U.S. government have released
statements regarding the ruling. “It is a safe
and beneficial technology that is improving food security
and helping to reduce poverty worldwide,” said
U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman, "We believe
agricultural biotechnology products should be provided
a timely, transparent, and scientific review by the European
Union, and that is why Canada, Argentina and the United
States brought the case in the first place."
The
Union imposed its moratorium on the approval of GM crops
in 1998, and set no deadline for lifting it. Recently,
however, the European Commission (EC) has already allowed
the entry of a small number of biotech crops, while some
EU member states refuse to accept them. The current dispute
resolution set before the WTO covers both these aspects:
a challenge of the overall EU moratorium, as well as
challenges of individual countries' bans on products
already approved for sale and trade in the European Union.
With
information from: http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/
pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0017-06 and http://usinfo.state.gov/usinfo/Archive/2006/Feb/
08-676796.html.
Take
a look at the EU rules at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/
pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/
58&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en.
For
more articles regarding the ruling, visit: http://www.agbioworld.org/newsletter_wm/index.php?
caseid=archive&newsid=2483.
GREECE,
ROMANIA TO BAN GM
The
Romanian government has announced that it will ban the
cultivation of herbicide resistant "Roundup Ready" genetically
modified (GM) soy, in preparation for joining the European
Union (EU). Roundup Ready soy is grown in Romania, but
the variety is not approved for cultivation in the EU.
The national ban will take effect on January 1, 2007.
This
decision comes after a series of debates in which several
parties participated, namely the country's Ministries
of Agriculture, Environment, and Health; the National
Sanitary - Veterinary and Food Safety Authority; the
National Authority for Consumers Protection; research
and educational institutions; seed companies; and environmental
associations.
Greece
is also remaining firm in its ban of GM corn, despite
orders by the European Commission (EC) to lift it. Deputy
Agriculture Minister Alexandros Kontos signed the decision
that extends a current ban on the MON810 seed type from
entering the country for another 18 months. MON810 is
already approved for planting and sale in the EU. In
addition to the 18-month extension, Greece has also decided
to broaden the ban to include 31 types of seed derived
from the MON810 varieties, instead of the 17 originally
considered. The government is keeping the ban on account
of “negative effects” of GM crops, but no
reference to specific scientific studies has been provided.
With
reports from: http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_
articles_politics_100002_31/01/2006_65816.
To
read the original press release in Romanian, visit: http://mapam.ro/pages/view_presa.php?id=1238&lang=2.
Read the translation at http://www.gene.ch/genet/2006/
Feb/msg00034.html.
ARGENTINA
TO EXPORT BIODIESEL TO EUROPE
A
small Argentinean biotech firm, Oilfox, signed a five
year contract to start exporting in April or May 2006
one million litres of soybean-derived biodiesel to a
German fuel distribution company. Jorge Kaloustian, president
of Oilfox, said demand for biodiesel currently exceeds
production capacity, not because of shortages in soybean
farming, but due to limitations in the manufacture chain.
Exports could therefore increase substantially in the
future. This contract, although modest, represents the
debut of Argentina in the world market of biofuels.
According
to the latest ISAAA Global Status Report, almost the
entire production (98-99%) of soybean crop in Argentina
is composed of herbicide tolerant soybeans.
Spanish-speaking
subscribers may read more at http://www.clarin.com/diario/2006/01/31/elpais/p-01601.htm
LULA
TOURS AFRICA
Lula
da Silva is currently on an a five-day (Feb 8-12, 2006)
official visit to Algeria, Benin, Botswana, and South
Africa, in the fifth official tour of Africa by the Brazilian
President during his term of office. Lula aims improve
to trade and increase cooperation between Brazil and
the African continent. Priorities of the trip are likely
to be the strengthening of ties between Brazil and Africa
to advance the Doha round of trade talks and to raise
representation of developing countries in the United
Nations (UN). Lula will also seek to secure political
support for Brazil's bid for a permanent seat in the
UN Security Council.
Brazil
is to offer Algeria and Benin agricultural technical
assistance for the development of biotech cotton, and
will provide Botswana with antiviral HIV treatment and
advice for the fight against AIDS.
Read
more at http://www.radiobras.gov.br/ (in
Portuguese) and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4431417.stm.
INDIA
PRESIDENT VISITS PHILIPPINES TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION
The
President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, recently concluded
his historic state visit to the Philippines, the first
made by an Indian head of state in fifteen years. Included
in his visit were a symbolic hand over event of foundation
seeds of improved peanut and sweet sorghum varieties
to the President of the Philippines, Gloria Arroyo; a
signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the
two countries; and a visit to the International Rice
Research Institute (IRRI).
The
foundation seeds were developed by the International
Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).
ICRISAT's large-seeded peanut variety ICGV 86564 is gaining
popularity in the confectionary industry and among peanut
farmers in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra in India.
The Institute's improved sweet sorghum variety provides
an additional source of income for poor farmers, since
the juice extracted from its stalk can be converted to
ethanol.
The
MOU will cover cooperation in rice production and processing,
dryland farming, multiple cropping, bio-organic farming,
agricultural machinery horticulture, cotton growing technology,
sugarcane technology, integrated pest management, and
plantation crops.
In
his visit to IRRI, President Kalam placed special emphasis
on using science and technology to help his country's
millions of poor rice farmers. In comments to the Institute's
scientists, the Indian president said India had around
176 million hectares of land currently available for
cultivation, which, by 2020, he predicted, would be reduced
to 100 million hectares. He also warned of a looming
water crisis.
For more information contact S Gopikrishna Warrier, Media Officer, at w.gopikrishna@cgiar.org.
Visit the institute at http://www.icrisat.org.
Read more http://www.irri.org/media/
press/press.asp?id=122.
AFRICA
JOURNALISTS ATTEND BIOTECH WORKSHOP
A
regional workshop for journalists of West and Central
Africa took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the 7th-9th
of February, 2006. The workshop tackled biotechnology
and agriculture, and was organized by The International
Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications
(ISAAA), in collaboration with the United Nations Economic
Commission for Africa (UNECA).
The
event, in which 20 reporters took part, aimed to improve
press coverage and public understanding of agricultural
biotechnology issues in West and Central Africa.
Josué Dione,
Director of UNECA's Sustainable Development Division,
said in his opening speech that Africa cannot remain
on the margin of this technological revolution and should
aim for a central role in the global biotechnology debate.
Dione added that the workshoptestifies to the significant
role the media plays in the whole biotech debate, and
to the responsibility of journalists in shaping public
opinion.
Although
aimed at journalists of Central and West Africa, Dione
said: “Outcomes of this workshop will resonate
throughout Africa, helping to clarify issues in a manner
that will help our governments and leaders make the best
decisions for themselves.”
To
read the opening speech (in English and French) of Josué Dione
access: http://www.uneca.org/
REPORT
SHOWS DECLINE IN NEW U.S. AGRI-BIOTECH PRODUCTS
In
the report “Withering on the vine: will agricultural
biotech's promises bear fruit?” Gregory Jaffe,
Director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest
(CSPI) Biotechnology Project, presents the results of
a study comparing the number and type of biotech crops
approved for commercialization in the U.S. between the
years 1995 and 2000, and the subsequent five years. The
report concludes that despite a two third decrease in
the number of applications filed since the year 2000,
the time required for federal agencies to complete their
review of biotech crops had doubled. In addition, most
of the products filed after 2000 were not novel applications
of the technology, but involved the use the same genes
already approved for previous applications.
These “trends
should worry those who believe that agricultural biotechnology
can be used safely and can benefit farmers, consumers,
and the environment in the United States, other developed
countries, and in developing countries” says Jaffe.
In order to reverse this trend, the CSPI makes five recommendations:
1.
The federal government needs to ensure a more efficient
review process, and include the adoption of streamlined
regulatory procedures for crops engineered with genes
already used in previous applications.
2.
Public investment should be streamlined into research
on traits and crops not pursued by the private sector,
with aims of increasing the output of novel biotech applications.
3.
The federal government needs to increase public investment
in risk assessment and safety studies for crops ready
for commercialization.
4.
GM crops that address the specific needs of farmers in
developing countries need to be developed. The U.S. and
other developed nations need to increase public funding
for agricultural research on such crops, and agricultural
biotechnologies should invest part of their profits to
developing technology beneficial to developing countries.
5.
Steps should be taken to improve public acceptance of
agricultural biotechnology.
To
read the full article in pdf, access: http://cspinet.org/new/pdf/withering_on_the_vine.pdf
TRANSFER
AGREEMENTS SPEED SEASIA PROJECTS
The
South East Asia end of the Agricultural Biotechnology
Support Project II (ABSP II - SEAsia) aims to produce
high-quality, bio-engineered crops for target countries
in the region, in a wide partnership involving both private
and public institutions. The technology to develop transgenic
Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) and non-transgenic Geminivirus
resistance for tomatoes has been formally transferred
to the Philippines from the Asian Vegetable Research
and Development Center (AVRDC).
A
license agreement for technology to develop fruit and
shoot borer-resistant (FSBR) eggplant was also signed
recently, involving the University of the Philippines,
Los Ba?os (UPLB), Sathguru Management Consultants Private
Limited, and the Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company (MAHYCO).
Mr. Kannan Ragunathan is Director of Sathguru, while
Dr. Brent Zehr is Director of Research at MAHYCO, and
not vice-versa, as reported in last week's Crop Biotech
Update.
For
more information, visit http://www.absp2.cornell.edu/
BIOFUELS
COULD SUPPLY 30% OF GLOBAL ENERGY DEMAND, SAYS REPORT
Energy
demand is projected to grow by 50% by 2025, with much
of the increase in demand predicted to originate from
developing countries with fast rates of economic growth.
The vast majority of energy is currently derived from
fossils fuels, a limited, nonrenewable and polluting
resource. Biofuels produced from dedicated, tailored
energy crops have the potential to play an important
role in addressing future energy demands.
“We
can readily address, with research, 30 percent of current
transportation fuel needs” said Dr. Arthur Ragauskas,
from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Ragauskas
and his colleagues highlight future challenges to converting
biofuels into a practical, cost efficient alternative
to petroleum in the review article “The Path Forward
for Biofuels and Biomaterials”, published in the
journal Science. The authors recommend a multidisciplinary
approach, where the activities of biologists, agronomists,
engineers, energy experts and policy specialists are
integrated to achieve the transition from nonrenewable
carbon resources to renewable bioresources.
Bioresources
result in zero net greenhouse gas emission as the carbon
dioxide they release upon combustion is initially extracted
from the atmosphere during biomass production. Several
countries have set goals for increasing the proportion
of biofuels used for transport: the US plans to replace
30% of the liquid petroleum with biomass-derived products
by 2025; India has a target to increase the proportion
of biofuels from 5% to 20% by 2012; and the European
Union targets close to 6% of fuels to be derived from
biomass. Brazil is the world's leader in biofuels, with
30% of transport fuel currently derived from biomass.
Biofuels
in the US and Brazil are primarily derived from fermentation
of starch derived from maize and sugar cane. In their
study, the authors recommend increasing the range of
material used in biofuel production to include low cost
agricultural waste products, fast growing trees, and
perennial energy crops, such as switchgrass. “The
grand challenge for biomass production is to develop
crops with a suite of desirable physical and chemical
traits while increasing biomass yields by a factor of
2 or more” say Dr. Ragauskas and co-workers. Their
proposed “research road plan” includes a
combination of modern breeding and transgenic techniques
to improve photosynthesis efficiency, crop chemical composition,
confer resistance to pests and diseases, and to reduce
agricultural inputs.
Readers
can view the full review article by Dr Ragauskas and
colleagues at: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/reprint/311/
5760/484.pdf
ENGINEERED
TOBACCO ABLE TO GROW ON ZINC-CONTAMINATED SOIL
Researchers
at the International Center for Genetic Engineering and
Biotechnology, and at the Jawaharlal Nehru University
in New Delhi, India, report on a new strategy to confer
heavy metal tolerance in plants.
In
an article published in the journal of Plant Physiology
this month, the authors report high methyl glyoxal accumulation
in plants growing on high concentrations of zinc and
other heavy metals. Over-expression in tobacco of either
glyoxalase I or II on their own confers increased zinc
tolerance with no penalties on yield and reproduction,
and performance was further enhanced in double transgenics.
The authors believe that increased production of phytochelatins,
proteins that bind excess metals to prevent them from
damaging the cell, is likely to be one of the mechanisms
mediating zinc tolerance in transgenic tobacco plants.
Over-expression
of glyoxalase I and II in transgenic plants has previously
been reported to also increase drought tolerance. This
approach has the potential to develop multiple-stress
tolerance in important food crops.
To
access the abstract for the article, “Glutamine
Synthetase-Glutamate Synthase Pathway and Glutamate Dehydrogenase
Play Distinct Roles in the Sink-Source Nitrogen Cycle
in Tobacco,” visit: http://www.plantphysiol.org/cgi/content/
abstract/140/2/444. Subscribers to Plant Physiology can read the complete
article at http://www.plantphysiol.org/cgi/
content/full/140/2/444.
TRANSGENE
FLOW CONTROL DISCUSSED
Transgene
flow from biotech crops to other organisms is an issue
that should be properly addressed when considering biosafety.
Transgene flow can be countered by either establishing
containment mechanisms to keep the transgenes within
the crop, or by employing mitigation techniques aimed
at minimizing the environmental effects of the primary
transgenic trait should it escape.
Jonathan
Gressel and Hani Al-Ahmad of the Weizmann Institute of
Science, Israel, review transgenic mitigator strategies
in their article “Mitigating Transgene Flow from
Crops”, published in the latest issue of the Information
Systems for Biotechnology News Report. In transgenic
mitigation, genes (termed mitigator genes) that lower
the competitive ability of transgenic hybrids are linked
to the primary transgene. Such mitigator genes are neutral
or positive to the crop, and may confer traits such as
dwarfism, inhibited dormancy, and non-shattering of seedpods.
These traits would confer a competitive disadvantage
in wild populations, ensuring escapes would not survive.
Researchers
co-cultivated TM transgenic oilseed rape (with a mitigator
gene for dwarfism) with its wild counterpart and found
that the TM rape was suppressed, unable to grow normally,
and hardly set seed. TM-weed hybrids, as well as further
backcrosses, were also found to be “exceedingly
unfit and unable to compete with wild type weed.” Thus,
researchers conclude, transgenic mitigation is clearly
advantageous to a crop grown alone, while disadvantageous
to a crop-weed hybrid living in a competitive environment.
For
more information, visit http://www.isb.vt.edu/news/
2006/news06.Feb.htm
CGIAR
OPENS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The
CGIAR Gender & Diversity Program (G&D) is now inviting
applications from qualified women scientists in East Africa
for a two-year fellowship. With support from the Rockefeller
Foundation, these fellowships are open to women scientists
from national agricultural research institutes (NARIs)
and universities in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania who have
at least an MSc degree, and are working in crop sciences.
The overall goal is to increase women's skills, visibility
and contributions to science and development.
Dead
line for applications is February 28, 2006.
For
more details on the Fellowship, see: http://www.genderdiversity.cgiar.org/resource/
women_fellowships.asp
MEETING
SET UP FOR BETTER DATES
Date
growing countries will meet in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
between the 19th and 21st of February, 2006 to discuss
sustainable date production. The meeting, organized by
the University of the Arab Emirates, will provide an opportunity
for scientists, experts and senior officials from date
growing countries to exchange knowledge and expertise on
of date palm production, propagation and marketing. The
congress also seeks to foster international technical cooperation
on different aspects of date palm production chain.
For
more information, contact A Zaid at zaid@uaeu.ac.ae.
BRAZIL
TO HOLD BIOTECH CONFERENCE
A
Biotechnology and Brazil Conference will be held in São
Paolo, Brazil, from March 8-9, 2006. Biotechnology and
Brazil will focus on the country's recently approved seed
legislation for genetically modified (GM) seed and the
effect it will have on the prospects in Brazil itself and
over the world. The conference will examine the implications
of biotechnology regarding the cost of production of soybeans
and future GMcrops, and it will discuss the stance and
policies that Europe has taken with regard to GM soybeans,
cotton, and corn, and consumer concerns surrounding GM
labeling. The conference will be conducted in English and
Portuguese with simultaneous interpretation. For more information,
visit http://www.agra-net.com/biotech06.
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