Trials 'underestimate GM crop risk'
PA News, June 1, 2007 (UK)

Field trials are regularly carried out to measure the potential for cross-pollination between GM and conventional crops. Current guidelines for minimum field-to-field distances are based on the results from these trials. However, if the GM field in a trial is downwind of the non-GM field, the trial will underestimate the potential for cross-pollination.
Research by a University of Exeter research team published in the journal Ecological Applications has recommended a new method for predicting the potential for cross-pollination, taking account of wind speed and direction.
The findings showed huge variation in the amount of cross-pollination between GM and non-GM crops of maize, oilseed rape, rice and sugar beet. Levels varied according to whether the GM field was upwind or downwind of the non-GM field, given the direction of the prevailing wind over the flowering period of the crop.
Full item: http://www.GEinfo.org.nz/062007/01.html

GE products skip labelling
The Press (Christchurch), June 4, 2007 (New Zealand)

A large number of common food products sold in supermarkets contain GE ingredients the consumer does not know about, food labelling critics say.
Food products containing GE protein and DNA must be labelled under Food Standards Authority Australia New Zealand rules. But Steve Abel, the researcher for the latest edition of the Greenpeace GE-Free Food Guide, says most GE products slip through various labelling loopholes.
About 30 strains of ingredients, such as corn, soybeans, canola oil and cottonseed oil, known to be genetically engineered but considered safe, were exempt from labelling, he said. Similarly, food products that were highly processed, to the point that GE protein and DNA could not be detected, also escaped the labelling rules.
"We think the laws are weak. They're not informative enough for people," Abel said. "They're based on an idea that there's no solid proof as far as the food-safety authority is concerned that GE is harmful. Therefore, our food safety organisation does not inform the public, who don't want to consume GE products."
Full item: http://www.GEinfo.org.nz/062007/02.html

Actor speaks out over GM crop trial
The Dominion Post, June 4, 2007 (New Zealand)

The Hollywood star Sam Neill has come out swinging over a decision to allow field trials of genetically-modified crops near Christchurch.
A 10-year trial growing pest-resistant GM foods was recently approved by the Environmental Risk Management Authority (Erma).
Neill, who runs the environmentally friendly Two Paddocks wine label in Central Otago, said New Zealand's clean, green image was at risk with the move.
"At a time when New Zealand produce is unfairly being characterised as a criminal source of carbon, it must be self-evident that the perception of New Zealand as sustainable, GM free, clean and greener than ever must be nurtured at any cost."
Full item: http://www.GEinfo.org.nz/062007/03.html

MAF, minister face GM outcry
Rural News, May 21, 2007 (New Zealand)

Furious farmers [who] planted GM corn cleared by MAF Quarantine Services, only to later have it destroyed, are still waiting for compensation four months after the gaffe.
Hawke's Bay corn grower Andrew Field who planted and subsequently had to destroy 20.5ha of GM corn says "ever since the outbreak, the handling of the issue has been diabolical... and those who have been left out on a limb, and out of pocket, have been the growers."
Last December MAF announced GM sweetcorn seed from US company Syngenta was incorrectly cleared by MAF's Quarantine Service in October 2006.
Questions remain about who should take responsibility for the mistake and ensure full compensation is paid to farmers.
Full item: http://www.GEinfo.org.nz/062007/04.html

Environmental warning on biofuels
BBC News, May 13, 2007 (UK)

The drive to switch over to biofuels could lead to rising food prices and deforestation, a report has warned.
The government and EU have said by the year 2020 they want 10% of all fuel in cars to come from biofuels.
But a study by the Co-op Insurance Society suggests achieving this could have a severe environmental impact.
Biofuel production could lead to a decrease in land available for food production in countries where famine already exists.
"People are felling rainforests to plant crops to grow energy fuels, biofuels," Professor Helm, a senior advisor to the British government said. "Think of the energy involved in felling those rainforests. Think about the damage to the climate being done by the loss of those trees. Think about the ploughing and the cultivation of fields."
Full item: http://www.GEinfo.org.nz/062007/05.html

Codex: work on biotech labelling to continue
Bridges Trade BioRes, Vol. 7 No. 10, May 25, 2007

Delegates at the 35th session of Codex Committee on Food Labelling held in Canada, agreed to establish a working group to continue work on Draft Guidelines for the labelling of biotech food and food ingredients.
Major biotech producers, including the US along with Canada, Australia and New Zealand, expressed the view that mandatory method of production labelling of GM foods was not justified on the grounds of food safety or fair trade practices, and that the consumer's right to know was not one of the objectives of Codex [and] that negotiations should be discontinued.
Civil society organisations Consumers Union and Consumers International stressed that by arguing against the consumer's right to know, producer countries argued against a fundamental and basic principle. In their view, the consumer's right to know is fundamental to Codex standards and to the promotion of fair practices in trade. The two consumer groups stressed that GM foods should be allowed to succeed or fail based on their merits in the marketplace.
Full item: http://www.GEinfo.org.nz/062007/06.html

Germany tightens restrictions on GM corn
Spiegel online, May 9, 2007 (Germany)

The German government has imposed stricter regulations on the food company Monsanto regarding the sale of GM corn seeds. The new rules are tantamount to an outright ban.
GM crops have long been controversial in Germany, where organic agriculture is booming.
In a letter to the agricultural company Monsanto, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture writes that GM corn from the MON 810 product line can only be delivered to third parties if the firm also provides an accompanying monitoring plan which researches the effects on the environment.
"This amounts to a de facto ban on the cultivation of GM corn," said Peter Rudolph, who is responsible for genetic technology in the Brandenburg state ministry of agriculture. He said the letter basically means Monsanto will no longer be allowed to sell MON 810, as the company has not presented any monitoring plan up until now.
Full item: http://www.GEinfo.org.nz/062007/07.html

GM milk anger
The Standard, June 7, 2007 (Australia)

Milk is being produced on south-west Victorian dairy farms using GM feeds without the public's knowledge. Now consumers are demanding to know more.
Feeds with GM content include cottonseed meal, soybean and canola meal. Consumers are concerned about the impact on milk and a lack of clear labelling. Studies found no impact on foods generated from GM-fed livestock or GM crops.
Anti-GM campaigner and director of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research Dr Judy Carman said "If it was widely known that there was a milk company in Australia that was getting milk from cows being fed GM feeds I think you would find consumers would switch brands. There would be some concern - it is just that they (consumers) don't know."
Dr Carman said there had been no long-term testing on livestock fed GM feeds, consumers eating GM foods or meat grown with GM feeds.
Full item: http://www.GEinfo.org.nz/062007/08.html

GM rice sales facing resistance
Mumbai Business Standard, May 11, 2007 (India)

Continued resistance over sales of GM rice in the US and its non-acceptance in the EU have threatened the success of the transgenic hybrid seeds in the agriculture sector, according to a Rabobank report.
India, the world's second largest rice producer after China with a capacity of 91 million tonnes is also facing resistance over the use of GM seeds.
In 2006-07 marketing year, US rice production is estimated to fall by 13 per cent. According to the report, rice acreage in the US in 2007-08 is likely to decline even further due to concerns over the effects of GM contamination, high prices for alternative crops and the banning of a number of GM contaminated rice.
Full item: http://www.GEinfo.org.nz/062007/09.html