06/April/21

 

Newly published research in the journal Science completely demolishes claims that the impact of pesticides is declining and that GM crops are contributing to this positive trend. In fact, the new study shows that not only is the toxic impact of pesticides increasing in the US but that GM crops are no better than conventional non-GM crops in that regard. The study by German researchers, using US government data, shows that the toxic impact of pesticides used on genetically modified crops remains the same as conventional crops, despite claims that GM crops would reduce the need for pesticides. Invertebrates and pollinators are among the creat threatened. GMWatch

 

 

Worldwide, governments are under pressure from the biotechnology and agrichemical industries to deregulate products developed using the so-called “new” genetic engineering techniques such as genome editing and gene silencing. Efforts to deregulate new techniques use terminology and metaphors such as “like nature”, “precise”, and “no foreign genes”. The language implies familiarity and safety by association with what occurs in nature or by breeding. In a new study, researchers at the University of Canterbury and the Defense Technology Agency, both of New Zealand, demonstrate how these terms are being misapplied to the new techniques. Third World Network Biosafety Information Service/Elementa Science of the Anthropocene

 

 

The Environment Agency, the body charged with protecting the English countryside from pollution, has millions of pounds invested in agrochemical giants that make toxic chemicals including banned pesticides. The investments, made via its pension fund, total at least £2.35m as of the last financial year. Companies the EA has direct investments in include German multinational Bayer, a manufacturer of neonicotinoids, which are banned in the UK and Europe due to the harm they cause to bee populations. Bayer is also the manufacturer of RoundUp, a glyphosate-based herbicide which is not banned in the UK but is increasingly controversial to use. iNews

 

 

In a webinar about food and seed sovereignty, "Genes, Power and Biodiversity", organised by Norwegian youth group Norges Bygdeungdomslag, Cid Ryan Manalo from Searice in the Philippines explains the strong farmer opposition to GMO golden rice and talks about safe and sustainable alternatives (37 minutes into the video). Cid's presentation is in English, in an otherwise Norwegian language webinar. Norges Bygdeungdomslag