Ireland’s Chief Scientific Adviser Backs GM Foods Abstract: An Irish Times article on Prof. Patrick Cunningham, Ireland’s chief scientific adviser, and his views about genetically modified foods was distributed by a member. Cunningham points out that GM food are everywhere and it’s nearly impossible to avoid. He also advocates for the safety of GM food and touts the benefits such as cost and improved yield for the farmer. Source: Irish Times Farmer in France Sued for Growing GM Maize Abstract: A member posted an article from Le Monde in France on a group of organizations that are suing a small farmer for illegally growing genetically modified Monsanto MON810 maize, which was banned in February of this year. The group, led by Greenpeace, is traveling around France testing fields for the GM variety. A representative of Confédération Paysanne, one of the groups, stated that their intention was not to go after individual farmers, but rather to show that the moratorium is not being enforced. Source: Le Monde (In French)

DuPont just received regulatory approval on a soybean variety that is resistant to weed killers, the company's first proprietary genetically modified crop. DuPont's Pioneer Hi-Bred business unit plans to launch demonstration plots next year of soybeans with Optimum GAT, a genetically engineered trait that helps crops resist several types of herbicides. DuPont hopes to release the crop commercially by 2011. C.S. Prakash DuPont gains approval for modified soybeans Delaware Online July 18, 2008 DuPont Co. has received U.S. regulatory approval for soybeans that resist weed killers, an important step toward launching the company's first proprietary genetically modified crops. DuPont's Pioneer Hi-Bred business unit plans to launch demonstration plots next year of soybeans with Optimum GAT, a genetically engineered trait that helps crops resist several types of herbicides. The technology is a crucial part of DuPont's strategy for capturing a greater share of the North American market for corn and soybean seeds, as well as ending hundreds of millions of dollars in royalty payments to its top competitor in agriculture. Genetically engineered seeds incorporate genes from other organisms to impart a certain trait, like herbicide or insect resistance, to crops. DuPont licenses a yield-enhancing trait and a herbicide-resistance trait called Roundup Ready from St. Louis-based Monsanto Co. In the next eight years, the company expects to pay about $725 million to Monsanto for Roundup Ready corn alone, according to a financial filing. Neither DuPont nor Monsanto would disclose royalty payments for the other traits. Read more...

China to Promote GM Crops Abstract: Members of AgBioWorld discussed an announcement that China’s government has “decided to give broad support for genetically modified crops.” The Chinese cabinet approved a “master plan” for transgenic crops last week, urging relevant authorities to "waste no time to implement the programme and understand the importance and urgency of the programme". Several members voiced that they hoped Europe was taking notice of this decision, pointing out that with India and China growing “officially” growing genetically modified crops, almost half of the world’s population is growing GM crops. Source: Reuters via Truth about Trade & Technology The Success of Biotechnology Around the World Abstract: Members praised an article written by Robert Wager on the success stories in the agricultural biotechnology arena. Wager writes that the world is facing a food crisis and biotechnology can help. He then goes on to list some of the successes including biotech maize, bananas, potatoes and wheat. Members also suggested two other articles of similar nature, “Will Rising Food Prices Reduce Poverty? (They Can, but They Won't),” by Raj M. Desa and “It's not the price that causes hunger,” by Robert Paarlberg. Sources: Korea Times (Wager article) Brookings Institution (Desa article) International Herald Tribune (Paarlberg article) AgBioWorld Members Create Virtual “Bookshelf” Abstract: Last week members chimed in on a agbiotech bookshelf – a list of books on biotechnology that those interested could find helpful in understanding the issue. After lengthy discussions on what should and should not be included, a complete list was posted on AgBioWorld at the link below. Source: AgBioWorld Bookshelf

I ran across the following Houston Chronicle interview with Norman Borlaug on the topic of rising food prices. The author asks Borlaug about rising food costs, high yield crops and the fear of genetically modified foods. Read on and let me know what you think. C.S. Prakash No easy solutions to food price rise Houston Chronicle July 13, 2008 Norman Borlaug won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work in developing more productive strains of wheat and working to ensure their adoption around the world. During a recent phone interview with science writer Eric Berger, the 94-year-old distinguished professor at Texas A&M University said there are no simple solutions to the current crunch in food prices. Q: Are you surprised at the price increases in wheat, corn, rice and other basic foodstuffs, some of which have tripled in just a few years? A: I'm not surprised. The energy problem and the food problem are tangled up together. Many of the things that go into our food production system, like fuel for tractors and machines, and for fertilizer, have energy costs. Then there's the transport system for delivering goods. In addition, there may be speculation also. It's hard to isolate all of these factors. One change in government policy won't rectify all of these interacting complications. Q: Do you worry about food riots around the world if prices continue to rise? A: This is going on already in a few of the hardest pressed countries. Hunger is a pretty great force, especially if a country has seen things getting better and now it's going in another direction. People don't want to lose this progress, so they react in strikes and civic disorders of various kinds. Q: Give me an example of a country that's made progress in its food supply. A: India became self-sufficient in basic foods in the middle 1980s. Their production of basic cereal grains went from less than 11 million tons in 1965 to 75 million tons at the turn of the century. Today, they're eating more meat than they ever ate before. And meat requires more grain to feed animals. Now, with the increased price of food, some people are going to be pushed back into a shortage of food. Read more...

Reuters just reported that China’s cabinet approved a “huge” budget for research of genetically modified crops. Chinese scientists said the program includes a large increase for GMO research, and a big portion to develop safety measures for GMO crops until the year 2020. C.S. Prakash China approves big budget for GMO amid food worries Reuters July 10, 2008 BEIJING (Reuters) - China's cabinet has approved a huge budget for research of genetically modified crops amid growing concerns over food security, a move scientists say may speed up commercial production of GMO rice or corn. The State Council, or cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao, gave the green light on Wednesday to a program aimed at promoting indigenous genetically modified crops (GMO), Xinhua news agency said. Although the Xinhua report gave few details of the program, Chinese scientists said it included a large increase for GMO research, including a big portion to develop safety measures for GMO crops until the year 2020. "There is significant growth in budget at between 4 to 5 billion Yuan ($584- 730 million) in the coming years," Lu Barong, a professor with Fusan University and also a member of the country's biosafety committee with the agriculture ministry, told Reuters. "Particularly a large budget was allocated on GMO safety research," said Lu. Xinhua said the program aims to obtain genes with great potential commercial value whose intellectual property rights belong to China, and to develop high-quality, high-yield and pest-resistant genetically modified new species. Read more...

Monsanto’s Colin Merritt recently gave a speech at a seminar organized by McDonalds and the Guild of Agricultural Journalists in the United Kingdom. The following article quotes Merritt as saying that people in Europe “would be foolish to dismiss the contribution biotech could make,” especially with all of the new technology and advancements in the field. Read more about his speech below. C.S. Prakash Innovation will drive GM crops, says Monsanto boss Press and Journal July 4, 2008 New innovations will speed up the acceptance of genetically modified crops to a doubting European audience, one of the bosses of biotech giant Monsanto told a seminar at the show. Colin Merritt said with the rest of the world adopting GM there was growing pressure on Europe to speed up its approvals process and change its stance on what he viewed as a now proven – and safe – technology. He told the seminar, organised by McDonalds and the Guild of Agricultural Journalists, that GM and molecular plant genetics were part of the solution to ensuring food security. People would be foolish to dismiss the contribution biotech could make, part- icularly with breeders concentrating on producing new crops that used less water and nitrogen fertilisers and which could deliver health benefits by adding friendly fatty acids such as omega 3 into them. Mr Merritt believed breeders could over the next 15-20 years more than double the current yields of a range of staple crops such as soya, oilseeds, cotton and soya. Read more...

I found this interesting video on YouTube today titled "What's for Lunch?" Produced by the International Food Information Council (IFIC), the short video interviews people on their thoughts about biotech and organic food. The host, who adds some humor to the video, also interviews a farmer who uses conventional and organic farming methods. Go check it out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n2HO81RtiA

GMO Compass posted news from the US Department of Agriculture announcing biotech crops were cultivated on nearly 60 million hectares in 2008, an increase of 10 percent from last year. The article claims increases in biotech maize and soybeans and a slight decrease in biotech cotton. The article also states that biotech soybeans are used on more than 95 percent of farms in Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota and Nebraska. C.S. Prakash USA 2008: GM cultivation almost at 60 million hectares GMO Compass July 1, 2008 For farmers in the USA, genetically modified (GM) crops are a matter of course. In 2008, GM crops were cultivated on almost 60 million hectares. This represents a growth of ten per cent in comparison to 2007, as can be read in the cultivation statistics published on 30 June by the US-American Department of Agriculture. A significant expansion of GM lines has been observed for maize. The cultivation of GM types increased by seven percentage points and now represents 80 percent of all planted maize. Almost one half of GM maize used in 2008 displays combined resistance to insects and herbicides (due to the presence of ‘stacked genes’). However, the field surface occupied by GM maize has remained almost unchanged (with a slight rise from 27.4 to 27.7 million hectares) as a result of a general reduction in maize area. In the case of soybean, GM varieties have attained near-exclusivity. Having risen by one percentage point, such soybeans now comprise 92 per cent of total soybean cultivation. This figure rises to more than 95 per cent in the states of Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota and Nebraska. Since significantly greater quantities of soybean were planted in comparison to the previous year, the cultivated field area of GM soybean has risen from 23.6 to 27.7 million hectares. GM cotton has fallen slightly from 87 to 86 per cent. The total field area for cotton in the USA has attained its lowest acreage since 1983 and now occupies only 3.7 million hectares. Consequently, the field area for GM cotton has been reduced to 3.2 million hectares (2007: 3.9 million hectares). Read more...

The UK newspaper The Independent just published an article on a new study released by the Joint Research Centre, the European Commission's scientific body, on the impact of genetically modified crops in Europe. Scientists surveyed more than 400 Spanish farmers who grew Bt maize and found that they produced higher yields and earned up to €122 more per hectare than conventional maize farmers. Read the article below and by following the link. C.S. Prakash Farmers praise GM crops in EU study The Independent June 30, 2008 European farmers who grow genetically modified crops enjoy higher yields and revenues than conventional growers, according to a new study. Scientists from the Joint Research Centre, the European Commission's scientific body, surveyed more than 400 Spanish farmers who grew Bt maize – the only GM crop allowed for cultivation in the EU. They found they produced higher yields and earned up to €122 more per hectare (£50 per acre) than conventional maize farmers. It is the first time scientists have looked into the impact of GM in Europe, said Dr Emilio Rodriguez Cerezo, who led the research. "There are definite economic advantages for farmers for the reason that their crops are not destroyed by pests," he said. The European Commission president, Jose Manuel Barroso, wants to remove regulatory obstacles to the controversial technology, arguing that GM crops could counter soaring food prices. However, the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, who takes over the EU presidency tomorrow, will be calling for more controls on GM organisms. Environ-mental groups accuse the GM industry of exploiting the global food crisis to win approval for its products. Read more...

Austria has lifted its ban on importing and processing genetically modified corn. According to the following Associated Press article they are finally complying with the World Trade Organization to lift the ban. C.S. Prakash EU says Austria has lifted a ban on importing, processing genetically modified corn Associated Press June 24, 2008 GENEVA: Austria has lifted a ban on importing and processing genetically modified corn as part of the European Union's efforts to comply with a World Trade Organization ruling on biotech foods, the EU said Tuesday. At a regular meeting of the organization, the 27-nation EU informed trading partners that it was cooperating in good faith with Argentina, Canada and the United States, which have successfully pressed their case at the WTO. The EU said it was taking steps to comply with a 2006 ruling that European countries illegally hindered the sale of genetically modified foods and cited the decision of the Austrian government, long one of Europe's most resistant, to allow genetically modified maize to be imported and processed. The bloc said the ban was lifted on May 27. Robert Prochazka at the Austrian mission in Geneva confirmed that his country implemented an EU decision on corn last month. It doesn't allow for the genetically modified crop to be planted in Austria, he said. Read more...

I found the following article by Dennis Avery today. Title “Biotech Wheat to Ease World Food Shortage,” the article addresses the food shortage issues that will likely affect the world in the coming decades and the role biotech wheat could play if developed. C.S. Prakash Biotech Wheat to Ease World Food Shortage News By Us June 23, 2008 In the midst of the worst global grain shortage in decades, two lines of Australian biotech wheat have out-yielded current wheats by 20 percent - even under drought stress. “Around the world, 35–50 percent of the wheat-growing areas are under drought risk. The number of drought-affected wheat growing areas is likely to increase with the effects of climate change” John Brumby, of Victoria, Australia told his audience. “These initial results are very promising, and suggest that these genetically modified wheat lines may be part of the solution to help farmers maintain and improve their crop yields in a changing global environment.” Australia is the world’s driest continent and Victoria’s wheat crop was significantly reduced by drought in 2006/2007. U.S. wheat stocks were cut to an 11-year low this winter by drought that spread last year from Texas through bone-dry Missouri and nearly to the Canadian border. Researchers are also working on heat-tolerant wheat varieties, examining wild relatives of the wheat plant for DNA that would help wheat to tolerate higher temperatures for longer periods without sacrificing yield. Biotechnology would permit such DNA to be inserted into wheat varieties that already have high yields and good baking characteristics. Due largely to opposition from environmental activists, no biotech wheats are currently being grown in the world. Monsanto shelved its herbicide-tolerant wheat, which could have allowed higher yields due to better weed control. Syngenta has slowed its work on disease-resistant biotech wheat. Read more...

The UK newspaper The Independent is reporting the European Union is re-investigating the benefits of GM crops. The EU launched a study into whether a large-scale expansion of genetically modified crops would curb soaring global food prices. Good to see that Europe is taking another look at GM crops! C.S. Prakash Europe warms to GM crops as possible solution to food crisis The Independent June 21, 2008 The European Union has launched a study into whether a large-scale expansion of genetically modified crops would curb soaring global food prices. Gordon Brown backed the move after the European Commission said GM crops could "play an important role in mitigating the effects of the food crisis". Jose Manuel Barroso, the Commission president, warned that the EU's current obstacles to GM products could result in higher food prices in Europe than the rest of the world. EU leaders endorsed the plans to review the complex system of approving GM licences, which is split between the EU and national governments. It could be streamlined to make the approval process easier. Mr Brown told a press conference in Brussels that decisions on the issue should be driven by science. He said: "In the end, the attitude to GM crops and GM food taken by consumers in our country and in any country is going to depend on the scientific and medical advice. That is what we are looking for from the work of this review group. Scientific advice is going to be the key to the future. It is very important that we see the results of that review before we come to firm conclusions." The push for an expansion of GM crops comes as British ministers consider plans to relax the Government's controls over their cultivation, as The Independent revealed on Thursday. In a report to EU leaders, Mr Barroso said the food price rises had added "a new dimension" to the public debate on GM crops. He admitted people were worried about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and farming, but he said the EU was probably one of the largest importers of GMOs as its livestock industry was highly dependent on imported plant proteins. Read more...

There continues to be buzz about UK Environment Minister Phil Woolas’ push to start talking about GM crops in the United Kingdom. According to this article the National Farmers Union of the UK is supporting Woolas, saying that GM crops have the potential to help feed the world. C.S. Prakash NFU welcomes moves for debate on GM crops role Newbusiness.co.uk June 20, 2008 THE National Farmers Union has welcomed moves by the Government to start a debate about a greater role for GM crops. As world food prices continue to rise, Environment Minister Phil Woolas said yesterday that he wants a debate on the benefits of GM crops in offering greater yields, particularly in the developing world. A spokesman for the NFU said: “We are pleased the Defra minister is finally talking about GM crops in an open, pragmatic and science-based way. “We sincerely hope this indicates a real change in Government thinking and a move away from the highly politicised and emotive way this issue has been dealt with during the last decade. “The reality is that GM technology is not new and it has been applied to commercial agriculture around the world for more than 12 years. “In the context of increasing food prices as well as fuel, we are pleased that the benefits of reduced inputs and increased yields by improving crops using GM technology are finally being recognised as a benefit for both consumers and the environment.” This week, Mr Woolas said: “There is a growing question of whether GM crops can help the developing world out of the current food price crisis. Read more...

England’s the Independent is speaking out against Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth’s criticism of Phil Woolas’ announcement of support for genetically modified crops. The author of the article notes that while GM crops won’t “solve the global food shortage” on its own, “GM technology certainly has the potential to play an important part down the line in bringing more land under cultivation in the developing world and Africa.” C.S. Prakash Leading article: There is no reason for a blanket ban on GM crops The Independent June 20, 2008 Some plants that look dead can suddenly spring back to life again. Genetically modified crops seem to have accomplished such a trick. After a prolonged period of quiet, GM is back on the political agenda. The environment minister, Phil Woolas, told this newspaper yesterday, after talks with the Agricultural Biotechnology Council, that these crops might help alleviate the present global food price crisis. Gordon Brown reiterated this message yesterday at a meeting of European Union leaders in Brussels. After years of bowing to public hostility to GM crops, the Government seems ready to play a more active role in promoting them. Longstanding opponents of GM, such as Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace, have reacted with hostility. While these environmental groups do a valuable service in influencing many aspects of public policy, this newspaper believes they are misguided in their blanket rejection of GM. Some of humankind's most significant advances throughout history have been a result of agricultural innovation, from irrigation in ancient Mesopotamia, to Jethro Tull's seed drill. The genetic modification of crops can be part of this noble tradition. Drought and salt-resistant strains of crops have the potential to increase yields considerably and to bring more land under cultivation. It is, of course, simplistic to argue that GM alone can solve the global food shortage. The present crisis is too complex for any quick-fix solution. And there are, at present, no GM crops with these particular capabilities on the market. But GM technology certainly has the potential to play an important part down the line in bringing more land under cultivation in the developing world and Africa. Read more...

It looks like efforts to create drought-tolerant crops are beginning to ramp up. According to the following Reuters article biotech industry leaders, including DuPont, Syngenta and Bayer Crop Science, were in San Diego last week at the BIO International Conference discussing the development of new disease-resistant and drought-tolerant crops. Read more about it below. C.S. Prakash Biotech crops seen helping to feed hungry world Reuters June 19, 2008 SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - Biotechnology in agricultural will be key to feeding a growing world population and overcoming climate challenges like crop-killing droughts, according to a group of leading industry players. "It is critical we keep moving forward," said Thomas West, a director of biotechnology affairs at DuPont, interviewed on the sidelines of a biotechnology conference in San Diego. "We have to yield and produce our way out of this." DuPont believes it can increase corn and soybean yields by 40 percent over the next decade. Corn seeds that now average about 150 bushels per acre could be at well over 200 bushels an acre, for example, DuPont officials said. Crop shortages this year have sparked riots in some countries and steep price hikes in markets around the globe, and questions about how to address those issues were the subject of several meetings at the BIO International Convention being held this week. Despite persistent reluctance in many nations and from some consumer and environmental groups, genetically modified crops, -- and the fortunes of the companies that make them -- have been on the rise. Growing food and biofuel demands have been helping push growth. Read more...