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CALIFORNIANS FOR GE-FREE AGRICULTURE NEWSLETTER No. 19, FEBRUARY 2006
IN THIS ISSUE
NEWS:
- WTO finds EU in violation of Trade Rules
- Farmers, others sue USDA over GE Alfalfa
- Japan favors GE-Free Soya and Canola
RESEARCH:
TAKE ACTION:
News
WTO finds EU in violation of Trade Rules
In the last issue of this newsletter (#18, January 2006), we outlined the background to the WTO trade dispute between the US and the EU. In 2003 the US charged the EU with creating barriers to trade through slow approval processes for GE, and by failing to challenge national and regional bans on GE crops. The preliminary findings of the dispute resolution panel were released in early February, and as expected, the WTO ruled in favor of the US – stating that the EU's slow approval process constituted a trade barrier.
The ruling was a weak one, unlikely to change the EU's cautious approach to GE technology and even less likely to have any impact on the widespread consumer rejection of GE food throughout the continent. Despite industry spin to the contrary – the panel did not address the scientific validity of the EU's restrictions on GE. Instead, it chose to focus solely on the procedural element of the complaint.
Larry Mitchell, president of the American Corn Growers Association, spoke regretfully about the ruling, saying that it could leave the impression that the U.S. is not respecting its customers.
"We thought it was ill conceived to sue our customers anyway," he said. "It's not advancing the best impression. I think it could hurt our markets elsewhere in that it could extend the sensitivity to other parts of the world. To go to court to force a market is not a good thing."
For news stories on this issue:
http://www.calgefree.org/news/020706.html
Farmers, others sue USDA over GE Alfalfa
We reported in our August 2005 newsletter (#14) that the USDA/APHIS had deregulated Roundup Ready GE Alfalfa, and that it would be available to plant in the fall. The introduction of GE Alfalfa into the environment poses a significant risk to farmers because most export markets reject it. Even the technology agreements that seed companies ask all farmers purchasing GE-Alfalfa to sign reflected this reality, stipulating that Roundup Ready Alfalfa could only be grown for the domestic market.
Farmers and other groups are outraged that the USDA is allowing Monsanto to sell an herbicide-resistant GE-alfalfa seed while failing to have analyzed the public health, environmental, and economic consequences of that action. A coalition of farmers, consumers and environmental activists have sued the USDA, asking the federal court in San Francisco to rescind the USDA's decision until a full environmental review has been completed.
The suit asserts that the genetically modified alfalfa will probably contaminate conventionally grown alfalfa at a fast pace, ultimately forcing farmers to pay for Monsanto's patented gene technology whether they want the technology or not, and jeopardizing their export markets. Most of the alfalfa grown in California is for export, and 75% of that is bound for Japan, a market that is known to be hostile to GE.
For more information:
http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/press_release2_16_2006.cfm
Japan favors GE-Free Soya and Canola
What do grain growers on Kangaroo Island, Australia have in common with Indian Soybean processors? Both are getting a premium price for their GE-Free products after signing deals with Japanese companies.
Derrick Johnson from the Kangaroo Island Canola Company says the Japanese approached growers because of the island's GE-free status.
"The idea is that the canola be GM free which flies in the face of all GM proponents which say there's no premium for non-GMO products," he said.
Japan has also emerged as a major buyer of Indian soymeal because of its preference for non-genetically engineered foods. Some importers in Asia have been reluctant to buy soymeal of American origin, obtained from genetically engineered soybeans, and this has worked in India's favor.
For news stories on this issue:
http://www.calgefree.org/news/020106.html
http://www.calgefree.org/news/020206.html
For a complete listing of GE regulations and restrictions worldwide:
www.centerforfoodsafety.org/geneticall5.cfm
Research
California Gets Failing Grade in Protecting the Public from Gene Altered Food Risks
California's legislature and state agencies are failing to address risks from genetically engineered (GE) crops and food, according to a report released by Cal GE-Free coalition member, the Center for Food Safety. The California Food and Agriculture Report Card: Genetic Engineering is the first-of-its-kind evaluation of the response of the state legislature, regulatory agencies, and food corporations to concerns around GE crops and food. The Report Card finds that California has virtually no rules to protect the public or the state's vital agricultural sector from the economic, environmental, and health risks of experimental or commercially grown GE crops.
California farmers currently grow 750,000 acres of GE crops, primarily corn and cotton. California also ranks fourth among all states in GE field trials, with experimental plots of all of the state's key crops currently planted. As the federal government has largely deregulated GE crops, several states are developing their own regulations, including many states that have laws to protect farmers and the farm economy. But California has no such laws, and only a single protective bill has passed regulating genetic engineering in the state. In addition to this legislative failure, the Report Card released today gives failing grades to the three of the four state regulatory agencies that have authority over areas relating to GE crops, as none have taken steps to regulate the many experimental GE fields currently planted in the state.
For the complete report: http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/reportcard.cfm
TAKE ACTION
Help build the Californians for GE-Free Agriculture grassroots network!
As one of the largest agricultural economies in the world, California has the opportunity to become a leader in safeguarding our public and private lands, fisheries, forests, schools, gardens, and nurseries, from GE contamination. If GE is an issue that you are concerned about and you want to get involved in local action, here are some steps to take:
- If you area producer, vendor, store, or farmers market committed to growing and sourcing GE-Free (or if you know of one who is) - support and broadcast this commitment to healthy food and farming with a ”Proud to be GE-Free” display sign from Cal GE-Free. Contact our office for more information, or take a look at it on our website:
(http://www.calgefree.org/resources/proudtobegefree.shtml) - If you are not already a member, sign-on to the Cal GE-Free list serve www.calgefree.org to receive this newsletter and action alerts.
- Contact Becky Tarbotton at (510) 647-3733 to find out whether there is an active GE-Free group in your area. If there is no GE-Free group in your area, consider asking local community groups (church groups, environmental groups etc.) to see if you could make a presentation to them about the issue. Cal GE-Free can help by providing information and talking points and offering suggestions.
- Organize a screening or house party of the new ‘The Future of Food’ and use this as an opportunity to collect names of people who would be interested in starting a group.
- Finally, please consider a donation to Californians for GE-Free Agriculture.
You can make a secure, tax-deductible donation on line by clicking the link on the top left, or send a check payable to Cal GE-Free at:
15290 Coleman Valley Rd.
Occidental, CA 95465