News items related to ag biotech, trade ? and perhaps some other interesting items out there related to agriculture ? will be posted on this page throughout the week (newly added items will be in green at bottom of sections). ?Be sure to check in regularly!
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Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2015
The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) released the “Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2015” on April 13. ?This is the twentieth year of of successful commercialization of biotech crops, and there’s a wealth of information to go through available at their website?- but let’s give you a quick taste with their video 20 Years Global Commercialization of Biotech Crops and 2015 Highlights:
BIOTECH:
Natural GMOs: the Sweet Potato – Biology Fortified – By Layla Katiraee (Apr 11)
Link:?http://www.biofortified.org/2016/04/natural-gmos-sweet-potato/
Knocking technology is easy to do on a full stomach – Farm Weekly (Australia) – By Tony May (Apr 9)
In biotech breakthrough, scientists discover reverse photosynthesis – Crop Biotech Update, ISAAA (Apr 6)
Link:?http://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=14302
NZ will have to allow GM food to keep up with other countries – Stuff (New Zealand) – by Jill Gallowayy (Apr 11)
BBC dismisses anti-GMO activist complaints over Panorama film?s portrayal of Bangladesh Bt brinjal project – Mark Lynas (Apr 12)
My genetically modified crops are everything an environmentalist should want – Financial Post (Canada) – By Bob Bartley (Apr 13)
“These days, consumers want their products to be environmentally friendly and sustainable. So here they are…”
Everything you think you know about genetically modified food is about to change – Yahoo!News / Business Insider – By Erin Brodwin (Apr 14)
Link:?http://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-time-usda-said-wont-192700246.html
Syngenta Within Reach, China Signals Speed on GMOs – Wall Street Journal, China Real Time Report – By Chuin-Wei Yap (Apr 14)
Link:?http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2016/04/14/syngenta-within-reach-china-signals-speed-on-gmos/
REGULATION, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LABELS:
Hawaiian agriculture – Paradise sprayed – The Economist (Apr 9)
Water decision another nail in agriculture’s coffin – Western Farm Press – By Todd Fitchette in Farm Press Blog (Apr 6)
Link:?http://westernfarmpress.com/blog/water-decision-another-nail-agricultures-coffin
In Iowa corn fields, Chinese national’s seed theft exposes vulnerability – Reuters – By Julie Edwards (Apr 11)
Link:?http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-seeds-idUSKCN0X80D6
GMO food labels are meaningless – Los Angeles Times – Op-ed by Henry I. Miller (Apr 12)
Link:?http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-0412-miller-gmo-labels-unscientific-20160412-story.html
MEPs give glyphosate green light ? with caveats?- Food Navigator -?By David Burrows (Apr 13)
The European Parliament has voted in favour of re-authorising the use of glyphosate ? the weedkiller that almost two thirds of consumers want to see banned – but have limited this approval to seven years.
Link:?http://www.foodnavigator.com/Policy/MEPs-give-glyphosate-green-light-with-caveats
Six real consequences of GMO labeling ? you may be shocked by #5! – Biology Fortified – by MaryM (Apr 12)
Link:?http://www.biofortified.org/2016/04/six-consequences-of-gmo-labeling-you-may-be-shocked-by-5/
EFSA dismisses Austrian data on GM trait, calls for wider EU debate – Food Navigator -?By Jane Byrne, 14-Apr-2016
EFSA has once again rejected data provided by Austria to support that country?s imposed ban on the use of genetically modified oilseed rape, GT73, in food and feed.
Gene-edited CRISPR mushroom escapes US regulation – Nature – By?Emily Waltz (Apr 14)
A fungus engineered with the CRISPR?Cas9 technique can be cultivated and sold without further oversight.
Link:?http://www.nature.com/news/gene-edited-crispr-mushroom-escapes-us-regulation-1.19754?
Bounty hunters could come after you from day one if you are not compliant with Vermont GMO labeling law, warns attorney – Food Navigator USA -?By Elaine Watson?(Apr 15)
Private litigants, or so-called ?bounty hunters?, may start targeting food manufacturers over alleged violations of Vermont?s new GMO labeling law from day one (July 1), lawyers at Hogan Lovells have warned.
ZIKA:
Mosquito vs. Mosquito in the Battle Over the Zika Virus – The New York Times – By Nina Federoff and John Block (Apr 6)
Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Probably Headed to Florida Keys to Fight Zika – Miami New Times – By Tim Elfrink (Apr 11)
TRADE:
Uruguay in Brussels to begin a crucial round of Mercosur/EU negotiations – MercoPress (Apr 12)
‘Last chance’ for transatlantic trade pact – Politico Europe – By Hans von der Burchard (Apr 11)
“Concern grows that deal could be delayed ? or completely fall apart.”
Protectionism was a mistake 80 years ago. Is the world now set to repeat it? – The Guardian (Apr 10)
Defense Sec Carter calls on Congress to pass TPP this year – The Hill – By Vicki Needham (Apr 9)
Copa-Cogeca slams ?unacceptable? EU-Mercosur deal?– GlobalMeatNews.com -?By Oscar Rousseau (Apr 12)
Farming body Copa-Cogeca tells EU ministers to oppose a deal with South American trade bloc Mercosur that would pave the way to lower tariffs, leading to a ?catastrophic impact? on beef
Link:?http://www.globalmeatnews.com/Industry-Markets/Copa-Cogeca-slams-unacceptable-EU-Mercosur-deal
Australia Says First Trade Deal With India’s Modi Is Very Close – Bloomberg – by ?Jason Koutsoukis ?and?Shruti Srivastava?(Apr 12)
Mexican president says wants to adopt rules from EU-US trade deal – Reuters (Apr 12)
Link:?http://www.reuters.com/article/eu-usa-trade-mexico-idUSL5N17F3YG
OTHER:
Okay, now this piece below out of Australia truly shows activists will just about do and say anything…
Half-cocked PETA chicken meat claims refuted – The Land (Australia) – By Colin Bettles (Apr 12)
“A video posted on PETA?s official Facebook page – accompanied by links to free vegan starter kits – said, ?Eating chicken can make your kid?s dick small?.”
Link:?http://www.theland.com.au/story/3843850/half-cocked-peta-chicken-meat-claims-refuted/
UK farmers to test hi-tech beans that could prevent food waste – The Guardian – by Jesse Hirsch (Apr 15)
Link:?http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/apr/15/uk-farmers-to-test-hi-tech-beans-that-could-prevent-food-waste