STOP (IR)RESPONSIBLE SOY
The Dutch government is playing an active role to have GMO crops accepted and introduced to Europe. Part of this strategy is the financial and political support for the Round Table on Resposible Soy (RTRS). This platform of mostly industry and big producers has set up a very weak standard that gives GM Roundup Ready soy a 'responsible'label. The vast monocultures of this crop are creating huge problems.
You will find more information in this 
newsletter.
Please raise your voice and sign
the petition to the Dutch government.
At the moment more than 6.000 persons have already signed the call to the
Dutch government.
2.200 in German on www.regenwald.org
1.400 in Spanish on www.salvalaselva.org
8.00 in English on www.rainforest-rescue.org
1.600 in Dutch and English on www.gifsoja.nl and www.toxicsoy.org
5th EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON GMO-FREE REGIONS
LUCERNE - SWITZERLAND
APRIL 24TH – 25TH, 2009
At the 5th European Conference on GMO-Free Regions - “Food & Democracy”, in Lucerne (Switzerland), 250 representatives from 28 European countries were welcomed by the Speaker of the Swiss National Parliament, the Ministers of Agriculture of Austria, Scotland and the Czech Republic, as well as the President of Swiss Farmers.
At the end of 2 days of plenary sessions and workshops, the participants called upon the member states of the European Union to rethink their legislation and policy on the use of genetically
engineered organisms in agriculture.
For pictures, documentation and final statement visit the Conference website
ISIS Press Release on the Conference
STOP THE CROP
On January 21st 2009 the European Commission announced that it will propose to the member states the approval of two new varieties of GM maize for cultivation . The genetically modified maize varieties BT11 (Syngenta) and 1507 (Dupont/Pioneer) would be the first GM maize varieties to be approved for cultivation within the European Union since 1998.
A campaign was set up to oppose the approval of these crops. Please check the "Stop the Crop" informations on FoEE and GMO-free regions websites and participate in the actions.
PSx2 - PARTICIPATORY SCIENCE AND SCIENTIFIC PARTICIPATION
PSx2 is a project that explores the participatory role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in new scientific and technological developments, with particular reference to experiences in the development of agricultural biotechnology (GM plants, food and feeds). The issue of novel biotechnologies is not only an expanding area of scientific research, but also provides a very important area for social experimentation in more active citizenship and a deeper involvement of the lay public in European research activities. Five civil society organisations and four scientific institutions worked together in this project funded by the DG research of the European Commission.<o:p></o:p>
The overall objective is to increase the social relevance of scientific research through the promotion of public participation in European research activities. It is hoped that both the project process and its outcomes can be used to encourage dialogue and constructive engagement between civil society organisations and scientific research institutions.
The final report of the project is now available in 6 languages. Click here to access the project website.
Powerpoint presentation of the project results.
PLANET DIVERSITY CONGRESS
At the occasion of the Conference of the Parties to the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity a range of worldwide NGOs, along with GENET, organised a global conference on the future of food and agriculture in Bonn.
A global movement from different directions came together for the common cause of defending diversity against destructive and threatening tendencies in agriculture, rural development and food production and to celebrate the natural and cultural diversity of life in food and agriculture.
More than 700 participants from 100 nations gathered for four days during the UN-Convention on Biodiversity and the Biosafety Protocol negotiations. They discussed how farmers, consumers, food producers and their communities can cooperate. 6.000 joined a demonstration for local diversity and against genetic engineering in agriculture and 15.000 gathered on a festival of diversity.
For more information about this successful event and to read the Planet Diversity Manifesto, visit the Congress' website.
GENET-news of today
2010-03-12
Negros Occidental (Philipines) protestors warn of GE crop plot
Members of Green Alert Negros staged a picket yesterday in front of the Provincial Capitol to oppose the proposed Sangguniang Panlalawigan ordinance promoting sustainable agriculture and protecting biodiversity within the territorial jurisdiction of Negros Occidental. The group said it believes the ordinance is a ploy to deceive the public and allow GMO products in the province despite the anti-GMO ordinance.
- The Visayan Daily Star, Philippines (11.03.2010): Protestors warn of GMO ploy
- The Visayan Daily Star, Philippines (03.03.2010): Lacson: SP to set public hearings on GMO ordinance replacement
- Business World, Philippines (04.03.2010): Negros Occidental rethinks GMO ban
- The Manila Times, Philippines (02.03.2010): High-yield corn expansion to slow down because of El Niño
- Manila Bulletin, Philippines (02.03.2010): National scientist cites need for biotechnology
- Business Mirror, Philippines (02.03.2010): Areas planted to ’BT’ corn 14% wider
- The Visayan Daily Star, Philippines (25.02.2010): Officials renew push for GMO ban amendment
2010-03-12
GM disallowance motion voted down in Western Australia
FARMERS and grains industry members have attended a critical sitting of WA Parliament, to support Agriculture Minister Terry Redman, and witness a fiery debate over a disallowance motion proposed in the Legislative Assembly, designed to prevent the growing of Genetically Modified canola in the State this year. The disallowance motion was proposed by Shadow Agriculture Minister Mick Murray. But after a day of political jostling and a three hour debate in the Lower House between 4pm and 7pm, the motion was eventually dismissed 26 to 24.
- Farm Weekly, Australia (11.03.2010): GM disallowance motion voted down
- Farm Weekly, Australia (24.02.2010): GM protesters call on Redman to resign
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia (ABC) (24.02.2010): Group says no protection for non-GM farmers
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia (ABC) (23.02.2010): Protests greet returning MPs
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia (ABC) (24.02.2010): Anti-GM crop protesters want fears heard
2010-03-12
South Australian Greens, Labor, Democrats unite on GE crop ban
The South Australian Liberal Opposition is the only party that has not made a clear and unequivocal election promise to extend the present ban on genetically manipulated (GM) crops for the term of the next government. ”The ALP government, the Greens and Democrats all commit to ban commercial GM crops until 2014 at least” says Gene Ethics Director Bob Phelps.
2010-03-12
U.S. beet growers plow ahead
Sugar beet growers are already planting genetically modified seed even though a federal judge is expected to rule any day on an injunction that could bar further planting and use of the crop. Some beets have already been planted in the Amalgamated Sugar Co.’s growing area, said Duane Grant, chairman of the Snake River Sugar Co., the growers’ cooperative that controls the company.
- Capital Press, USA (11.03.2010): Beet growers plow ahead
- Capital Press, USA (10.03.2010): Growers planting biotech beets now while judge weighs injunction request
- The Powell Tribune, USA (11.03.2010): Beet farmers play waiting game
- The Des Moines Register, USA (09.03.2010): Supreme Court urged to clear way for biotech seeds
- American Farm Bureau Federation, Biotechnology Industry Organization, American Seed Trade Associatio (09.03.2010): Ag groups weigh-in on Supreme Court case for biotech alfalfa
2010-03-12
Farm groups call on U.S. to bust up big ag
A coalition of family farmers, consumers and other critics of corporate agriculture on Thursday called on the U.S. government to crack down on what they see as unfair consolidation of the nation’s food system into the hands of a few multinationals. U.S. Chanting ”bust up big ag,” a group of more than 250 packed a town hall meeting in the top corn-growing state of Iowa to rally support ahead of a Justice Department meeting on Friday aimed at scrutinizing concentration in the seed business.
- Reuters, UK (11.03.2010): Farm groups call on U.S. to bust up big ag
- Business Week, USA (12.03.2010): Monsanto’s seed patents may trump antitrust claims, lawyers say
- The New York Times, USA (11.03.2010): Rapid rise in seed prices draws U.S. scrutiny
- Los Angeles Times, USA (11.03.2010): Rising food prices may start with seeds
- Forbes, USA (11.03.2010): The seeds of an antitrust disaster in Iowa
2010-03-12
Judge ordered Bayer to pay 1 mill USD compensatory and punitive damages to one farmer
A jury in Woodruff County Circuit Court decided Monday evening that Bayer CropScience LP must pay more than $1 million in compensatory and punitive damages to Lenny Joe Kyle, a rice farmer, for losses he sustained when Bayer’s experimental variety of genetically modified rice infiltrated the rice supply. The jury awarded Kyle $532,643 in compensatory damages, and $500,000 in punitive damages. This is the third verdict against Bayer CropScience in rice lawsuits, but the first to award punitive damages.
