In a precedent-setting victory for food and environmental safety, a federal district court in the US has ruled that genetically engineered (GE) organisms must be regulated. The Court's ruling overturns the 2020 rule overhaul by the first Trump administration that had eliminated most government oversight over GE crops, trees, and grasses. "This is a critical victory on behalf of farmers, the planet, and scientific integrity," said George Kimbrell, legal director for the lead plaintiff Center for Food Safety, and counsel in the case. "USDA tried to hand over its job to Monsanto and the pesticide industry and the Court held that capitulation contrary to both law and science." The ruling is a rebuke of the first Trump administration's efforts to practically eliminate oversight of novel GE technology and instead let industry self-regulate. Center for Food Safety

 

 

The Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island (PEI) have announced $231,095 in new funding for the GM salmon company AquaBounty despite the company having shut down its GM salmon production facility in PEI as well as its only other production site in Indiana, US. The funding announcement comes as the company is selling off its assets, continuing to lose share price value, and amid reports of company layoffs in Canada and rumours about the company’s future. On 2 December critics of the GM salmon sent a letter to the Auditor General of Canada and of PEI and to the federal and provincial ministers of fisheries to object to this use of funds and request a review of government decision-making in funding AquaBounty. GMWatch

 

 

Oxitec, a UK-based biotech corporation specialising in genetically engineered insects, has submitted an application to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the approval to commercially sell GMO mosquitoes directly to consumers across every state in America. In 2021, after years of public outcry and resistance, Oxitec was given the green light by the EPA, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), and the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) to conduct an uncontrolled experimental release of their GMO Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the Florida Keys. The mosquitoes are categorised as a “biopesticide”. The public comment period has closed, but you can read more about this irresponsible plan at the link given above. GMO Free USA

 

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