A coalition of 64 leaders from food, farming, religion, business, philanthropy and academia in the UK and in Europe have written to supermarkets with businesses in both the UK and EU, calling on them to support strong regulation of gene-edited products and to protect consumer choice. The letter (GMWatch is among the signatories) comes as the UK presses ahead with plans for the near total deregulation of genetically engineered crops and foods and eventually livestock in England, including the removal of traceability and monitoring requirements and environmental assessments. The government says it wants to see the bill signed into law before the end of the year. In Europe, the European Commission is expected to publish its proposals for changes to GM regulations in the spring of 2023. Beyond GM

 

 

The global release of genetically engineered trees is closer than it has ever been. Ironically, it could be the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) — which claims to “promote the responsible management of the world’s forests” through its certification programme — that opens the door to the commercialisation of GMO trees. Many paper products around the world carry the FSC logo, signifying compliance with the FSC’s standards. At the moment, FSC-certified companies are not allowed to commercially plant GMO trees. However, FSC is preparing to revisit its prohibition on GMO trees, risking serious consequences for forests and other ecosystems. The risks are explained in a new report, “The Global Status of Genetically Engineered Tree Development: A Growing Threat”, from the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) and the Campaign to STOP GE Trees. The report details which trees are being engineered for which traits and which countries are next in line to try to plant GMO trees commercially. It names the companies and institutions that are engaged in genetically engineering trees. GMWatch

 

 

In India, farmer unions have written to the GMO regulator GEAC demanding strict action on illegal GM crop cultivation. They point out that most farmer unions in this country are against GM crop approval, and the ones who are demanding GM are fringe groups. They urged GEAC, as the apex regulatory body, to take strong deterrent action against those who are misleading farmers, and against the illegal seed production and supply networks. They asked GEAC to work closely with state governments to ensure regulation is implemented properly. They also demanded that new gene technologies like genome editing have to be brought under the purview of rigorous regulation and noted that the current deregulated situation is worrisome. IndiaGMInfo

 

 

A European Citizens’ Initiative calling for a complete phase-out of synthetic pesticides by 2035 has passed the 1 million signature threshold needed to place it on the agenda of the European Commission and Parliament. The initiative, which is backed by 200 organisations, has met the requirements needed for the attention of the EU legislative. “This success marks a very clear and strong wish of EU citizens to strongly reduce the use of pesticides,” Générations Futures, one of the initiative’s organisers, said in a statement. Euractiv

 

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