The scientific and policy debate on the potential benefits and risks of biotechnologies remains polarized. As more genetically modified crops, insects, and fish are developed, the 2000 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity provides a forum to monitor developments and address risk assessment and risk management …
Approval for modified crops in America adds to confusion in UK on new-tech foodstuffs American regulators have allowed the cultivation and sale of two crops modified with the gene-editing technique known as Crispr. The crops – a white button mushroom and a form of corn – are the first Crispr …
THE Participatory Ecological Land Use Management Association (PELUM) has urged Government to disregard recent demands for genetically modified bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton trials in Zambia. In July last year, the Cotton Development Trust (CDT) said in Malawi that the company is optimistic that once Zambia is given the permission to …
The Ministry of Agriculture on Monday vowed to beef up its supervision over genetically modified (GM) crops in order to protect human health, ecology and the environment. Agricultural authorities at all levels should strengthen the control of testing, production, processing, labeling and marketing of GM seeds and crops, according to …
Burkina Faso is phasing out the production of genetically modified cotton introduced by Monsanto Co., the world’s largest seed company, because growers are unhappy with the short length of its fiber. Africa’s biggest cotton grower is reducing the acreage for genetically modified cotton this season until it’s completely phased out …
The world’s farmers have increased their use of genetically modified crops steadily and sharply since the technology became broadly commercialized in 1996. Not anymore. In 2015, for the first time, the acreage used for the crops declined, according to a nonprofit that tracks the plantings of biotech seeds. The organization …
Nagpur: Even after Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) of the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change has put the commercialization of genetically modified (GM) mustard, Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 or DMH-11 developed by Delhi University's (DU) former vice-chancellor Deepak Pental on hold for a few months, more skeletons continue …
The government plans to release genetically modified (GM) potato, reportedly capable of resisting late blight disease, during the upcoming season. “We are planning to apply for the approval for releasing one variety of GM potato at the end of this year,” said Rafiqul Islam Mondol, director general of Bangladesh Agricultural …
Before the fresh review procedure starts, the committee will meet first — likely on March 3 — to finalise the modalities for preparing the RARM report “including roles, responsibilities, consultation, time lines etc”. IN A move that has effectively placed commercial cultivation of GM Mustard in cold storage for now, …
Bangladesh’s record at promoting crop biotechnology is a marked contrast to India’s ambivalence India’s crop biotech Industry has been going through a period of great uncertainty ever since the moratorium on commercialisation of Bt Brinjal that was imposed by then Minister of Environment and Forests in February 2010, despite the …
Farmer unions, including BKS, today demanded that the Environment Ministry cancel the meeting of the regulatory body GEAC scheduled for February 5 to discuss the much-debated genetically modified (GM) mustard seed. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC)had met once last month to hear views of the technology developer Deepak Pental, …
The Supreme Court on Monday sought response from the government on a plea asking it to initiate contempt against three members of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) for proceeding with numerous field trials of GM mustard. A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur sought response after counsel …
Kenya is in the last stage of adopting genetically modified organisms if an application to secure a licence to supply cotton seeds is approved. Monsanto Kenya Ltd - a subsidiary of Monsanto Company - is a publicly traded US multinational agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation and submitted an application to …
Farmers are illegally growing genetically modified corn in China’s northeast, said the environmental group Greenpeace on Wednesday, in a report that may generate further distrust of the government’s ability to ensure a safe food supply. Beijing has spent billions of dollars to develop GM crops that it hopes will ensure …
The Philippine government said it will challenge a ban on GMO imports ordered by the country's top court, after the ruling rattled global markets this week over the threat of disruption to millions of tonnes of soybean meal shipments. Last week, the Supreme Court struck down a 2002 government regulation …
The Punjab government on Wednesday issued directions to Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) not to conduct further field trials of genetically modified (GM) mustard crop, following the concerns expressed by a civil society group. “I have asked Financial Commissioner (Development), Punjab, to direct PAU not to go ahead with further field …
America's sugar beet growers are under siege as U.S. food companies increasingly shun genetically modified (GMO) crops. In the past seven years, the farmers - many in Minnesota, North Dakota, Michigan, and Idaho - have all switched to GMO seeds created by Monsanto Co and sold by others as they …
The European Parliament on Wednesday rejected a draft law that would have allowed member states to ban the use of EU-approved genetically modified food and feed on their territory, a step welcomed by the GM industry. GM crops are extremely divisive in Europe and a majority of the 28 European …
Tanzania plans to conduct trials for new varieties of genetically modified maize that can survive recurrent droughts and pests. The confined field trials, to start in April 2016, will be conducted in the semi-arid area of Makutupora in Dodoma to assess the potential of the maize varieties to produce high …
Malta should utilise EU opt-out and join Austria and Italy in declaring Malta a GMO-free zone, the Green Party said. Simon Galea, the Alternattiva Demokratika’s spokesperson for animal welfare and agriculture, held that apart from the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the food chain, GMO crop cultivation pose …
EU member states can adopt their own positions on whether to allow GM crops Stormont's environment minister has banned the growing of genetically modified (GM) crops in Northern Ireland. Mark H Durkan said he was "unconvinced of the advantages", and his decision would hold for the "foreseeable future". The European …
