Guest guest Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Real Food News February 2004 In a nutshell The Government seems to have turned its back on public opinion to push ahead with the introduction of GM crops by approving Chardon LL GM maize (see 19 February 2004). But they'll be in for a fight, as any decision to commercialise the maize has to be approved by the Welsh Assembly (see 24 February 2004), and then get through the likely legal challenge through the Plant Varieties and Seeds Tribunal (see 21 February 2004). Gregory Barker, who put forward the Genetically Modified Organisms Private Members Bill, pointed out that it was absurd to plant GM crops before a legal framework was in place (see 19 February 2004). Ask your MP to support the GMO Bill at http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/real_food/press_for_change/gm_bill/ind ex.html. More GM controversy emerged with Lord Sainsbury's involvement in Cabinet level discussions on promoting the biotech industry, despite his personal financial interests in this area (see 22 February 2004). Hopefully a new Friends of the Earth International report might give the Government the perspective they need, giving details of the negative consequences of ten years of GM crops on our planet and the need for international liability rules (see 23 February 2004). Fortunately, local authorities in the UK are listening to what the public wants, as Gloucestershire and Hampshire join the growing ranks of GM-free local authorities (see 29 January and 26 February 2004), bringing the total population living in a GM-free area to over 14 million. In Europe, there has been more wrangling over GM approvals. Belgian GM advisors' serious concerns about the impact of Bayer's GM spring oilseed rape on the environment (see 28 January 2004) led to the rejection of the application for cultivation in Europe, but stopped short of banning the crop for import and processing (see 2 February 2004). Fears that the EU moratorium could be about to fall with the possible approval of Monsanto's GM maize were fortunately unfounded when Member States voted against approving the maize for import (see 17 and 18 February 2004). Farmers and other supermarket suppliers faced a blow with the long awaited publication of the Office of Fair Trading's review of the Supermarket Code of Practice (see 20 February 2004). The review concluded that the current Code of Practice is not working, but failed to offer any firm actions or recommendations to deal with this. This is particularly disappointing, as two years on from the Curry report, which did recommend actions to protect farmers from supermarket power, these recommendations have largely failed to be realised (see 12 February 2004). Town centres are also suffering at the hands of supermarkets, as a survey of local authorities revealed massive store extensions taking place without the need for planning permission all over the country (see 5 February 2004). Ask your MP to help close this planning loophole at http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/real_food/press_for_change/mp/index.ht ml. Thank you for your support and help with our campaigns Liz Wright Real Food & Farming Campaign Assistant ____ 26 February 2004 Hampshire vote brings GM-free population to 14 million Hampshire County Council yesterday voted to go GM free, bringing the total UK population living in areas with a GM-free policy to 14 million. The authority joins a growing number of local councils around the country opposing GM crops and foods. Friends of the Earth welcomed the vote which comes as the Government prepares to announce its official policy on GM crops. Although the Government is expected to approve the first GM crop - a GM maize - for commercial growing, many local councils do not share its enthusiasm for the technology. More than 40 local authorities have voted for GM free policies. This includes opposing the growing of GM crops on council land and banning GM ingredients in their catering, like school meals. More than half, including Hampshire, will also apply to prevent GM crops being grown across their entire areas, using a new European law. Hampshire is the largest local authority to add its voice to local opposition to GM crops. The resolution, passed at a full meeting of the council, stated that the council would request the UK Government to keep Hampshire GM-free because of the area's rich biological diversity. Full press release available at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/hampshire_vote_brings_gm fr_26022004.html ____ 24 February 2004 Welsh GM Decision Still in Balance The Welsh Assembly has still to decide whether or not it will agree to the commercial development of GM crops it said today. Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside, Carwyn Jones, said in a statement that " no decision has yet been made " on whether to agree to the addition of Chardon LL (a GM maize crop) to the National List. Adding Chardon LL to the National List needs the agreement of all four UK administrations. Carwyn Jones said that " The Assembly Government is concerned that sufficient controls should be in place to protect organic and conventional crops from possible GM contamination, thereby maintaining consumer choice. For this reason, I am in discussion with my colleagues in Defra and other devolved administrations to explore the possible introduction of GB wide co-existence measures, which could be put in place to protect organic and conventional crops. " Full press release available at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/welsh_gm_decision_still_ in_25022004.html ____ 23 February 2004 GM report shows a decade of failure A new report released today (Monday 23 February) by Friends of the Earth International shows the negative consequences of 10 years of Genetically Modified (GM) crops on our planet and the need for international liability rules. According to the report, launched at the start in Kuala Lumpur of United Nations talks on GM organisms and their potential risks, shows that 10 years after the first GM crop (a GM tomato) appeared on supermarket shelves, biotech corporations are still failing to deliver on their promises of GM crops with clear benefits for consumers or farmers. Friends of the Earth believes the report makes timely reading for the UK Cabinet Committee who met earlier this month to agree on how to push forward with the introduction of GM in the UK. UK Environment Minister Elliot Morley is expected to be in Kuala Lumpur for the talks and has already been talking down opposition to GM crops in Britain. The report " Genetically Modified crops: a decade of failure [1994-2004] " highlights the problems GM crops are causing, especially to farmers and the environment and shows that: - GM crops have adverse socio-economic impacts, as well as creating environmental problems (such as genetic contamination) and threatening biodiversity. - Argentina is the world's second largest producer of GM crops and illustrates how GM crops are not a solution for 'feeding the world', as the biotech companies claim, as millions of Argentineans face hunger and malnutrition. - In Europe distrust in GM is so high that GM food has been removed from the majority of supermarket shelves. - The large-scale release of GM crops around the globe would increase the ecological vulnerability already associated with monoculture agriculture. Full press release at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/welsh_gm_decision_still_ in_25022004.html Report available from http://www.foei.org/publications/gmo/index.html ____ 22 February 2004 Lord Sainsbury must resign over GM conflict Friends of the Earth today (Sunday) called on Government Science Minister Lord Sainsbury to resign following revelations of his involvement in Cabinet level strategy discussions on promoting the biotechnology industry. The Minister's personal financial interests in biotech companies detailed in press reports today represent a clear conflict of interest. Lord Sainsbury was present at a Cabinet Office Committee meeting, held earlier this month, to discuss how to promote the biotechnology industry in the UK and Europe. The Committee minutes show discussions on: " making the public aware of clearly beneficial aspects of biotechnology, such as biopharmaceuticals, could be a useful way of creating a rational environment for debate on more controversial aspects " . The Minister, who is a close ally of Tony Blair, has long been seen as a key advocate for the biotechnology industry. He is also known to have a personal financial interest in its development, with investments in two biotech companies placed in a blind trust when he became a minister. As well as having shares in the biotech industry, Sainsbury is reported to have injected millions of pounds into the study of plant genetics at the John Innes Centre, which carries out GM crop research, through his Gatsby Charitable Foundation. And by 2003, Sainsbury had given more than £11 million to the Labour Party. Full press release available at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/lord_sainsbury_must_resi gn_23022004.html ____ 21 February 2004 Legal challenge warning on GM maize Friends of the Earth today warned that it would consider a legal challenge if the Government pushes ahead with the decision to force through Chardon LL GM maize for commercial growing in the UK. The environmental organisation said the GM maize has not been rigorously assessed for its proposed uses and could pose a risk to human health and the environment. Scotland and Wales have the power to block any seed listing for T25 Chardon LL maize for the whole of the UK as any decision to place a seed on the National List of Varieties must be agreed by all four administrations. Friends of the Earth previously obtained a detailed legal opinion setting out the power of the Welsh Assembly to block seed listing. But if the Government decides to add Chardon LL to the National List then members of the public (including Friends of the Earth) would still be able to take the matter to the national Plant Varieties and Seeds Tribunal. Before a seed can be approved for the National List it has to be shown to be `distinct uniform and stable' (DUS) and have `value for cultivation and use' (VCU). VCU includes a requirement that it should represent an improvement on existing varieties and not harm people, plants or the environment. Friends of the Earth has consistently highlighted the poor quality of the scientific evidence used to obtain the marketing consent for T25 maize (of which Chardon LL is one variety), as revealed in the Seed List Hearings. The only feeding study to look at the impact of the feeding animals the whole plant was severely criticised for its poor science - but found that twice as many chickens died after eating the GM crop, compared with the non-GM variety. Other studies using the GM protein failed to show that the crop was safe. No feeding studies were carried out on cattle, the intended recipients of the GM maize. The only proposed use of Chardon LL is as cattle feed. Full press release available at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/legal_challenge_warning_ on_20022004.html ____ 20 February 2004 OFT blow to farmers in supermarkets' armlock The Office of Fair Trading's (OFT) long awaited review of the Supermarkets Code of Practice, published today is a blow to farmers and other suppliers hoping for action to give them greater protection from the bully behaviour of the big supermarkets. The review took a year but despite its conclusions that the current Supermarket Code of Practice is not working the only action to be taken by the OFT is a further investigation. The review is a huge disappointment to an alliance of 14 environmental, consumer and farming organizations, including Friends of the Earth, FARM, and the National Federation of Women's Institutes and the British Independent Fruit Growers Association who have called for the Code to be scrapped and replaced by a much stronger statutory Code and independent supermarket Watchdog. In its report the OFT says that " there may have been no change in supplier-supermarket relationships " as a result of the Code and even Tesco and Sainsbury's say that the Code has not made a difference to their relationships with suppliers. Some suppliers say that conditions have got worse since the Code was introduced. The Code of Practice was introduced in 2002 after the Competition Commission found large supermarkets operating against public interest, reducing the choice and quality of goods. In today's review the OFT concludes that " the code is not working effectively " but has failed to put forward any recommendations. Instead it has proposed further investigation and an audit of the supermarket's records. Although it is welcome that the OFT will be using its powers to investigate the supermarkets records Friends of the Earth is warning that this will fail to uncover the full truth about the way the retailers bully suppliers because so much business is done verbally. Nor will the audit be able to pick up on the climate of fear which clearly exists amongst suppliers dealing with the biggest supermarkets. The OFT's lack of action or firm recommendations to the Government will be a huge blow to the suppliers that participated in the review. The overwhelming message from respondents was that the Code has not made any difference to the way that the supermarkets treat them. Full press release available at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/oftblow_to_farmers_in_su pe_20022004.html ____ 19 February 2004 GM laws must come before GM planting: Conservative MP challenges Government to back his GM Bill Responding to today's reports of leaked Government papers showing a decision to give the go ahead to commercial GM crop planting, Conservative MP Gregory Barker said " It is completely absurd to allow the planting of GM crops before putting in place the proper legal framework required. There is no reason to rush into planting GM crops - by the Government's own admission they have few advantages, and hardly anyone is expected to grow them. Before they are given the go ahead, proper debate on laws to control their planting must take place. " Last month, Gregory Barker MP introduced a Private Member's Bill into the House of Commons, the Genetically Modified Organisms Bill, which will be debated in Parliament on March 26th. The Bill will set out rules to ensure that GM contamination is kept under control, and will set out a liability regime so that if damage is caused by GM, costs do not fall on the taxpayer or non-GM or organic farmers. As yet it is unclear whether or not the Government will support the Bill. Gregory Barker continued " No GM crops should be planted before we know who is responsible and have some proper rules to prevent contamination. Most people are sceptical about GM, but even among its strongest advocates, very few people would argue that we should not have a choice whether we eat GM food or not. Without proper rules to stop GM crops contaminating conventional and organic agriculture, all choice could be lost. The Government must back my Bill " . ____ 19 February 2004 Government reveals true colours on GM go-ahead The Government is to push ahead with the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops in Britain despite public opposition and scientific uncertainty, leaked documents seen by Friends of the Earth reveal. An announcement on Government policy is expected imminently, including approval for commercial growing of the first GM crop, a type of fodder maize. The documents also uncover Government plans for a " strategy for promoting the UK biotechnology industry " . Friends of the Earth attacked the conclusions in the leaked Cabinet Office Committee minutes which it says fly in the face of the findings of the Government's own GM reviews. The Committee acknowledged that " the public was unlikely to be receptive " and that " responding to the public's demand for more information was also essential " . The Government's own Public Debate, GM Nation? last year showed the clear public unease and little support for early commercialisation, with just two per cent happy for GM crops to be grown " in any circumstances " . However, rather than incorporate public feedback from the debate into Government decision-making, it was suggested that " opposition might eventually be worn down by solid, authoritative scientific argument. " The minutes also show that the Government intends to accept the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment and grant approval for the GM fodder maize grown in the Farm Scale Trials. However, before the GM crop could be grown in the UK the seed must be added to the UK National Seed List. Crucially this requires the consent of the National Assemblies in Wales and Scotland. The minutes reveal that the process for adding the GM maize to the National List was endorsed by the Committee. Full press release available at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/government_reveals_true_ co_19022004.html ____ 18 February 2004 EU committee rejects GM maize A key vote in Europe today upheld the de facto ban on GM products after member state representatives voted not to give the go ahead to Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) maize. Friends of the Earth welcomed the decision, but warned that European states were under pressure from the United States to give in on GM. " Today's result shows once again that there is no political or scientific consensus for genetically modified foods in Europe, " said Friends of the Earth's GM campaigner Clare Oxborrow. " There is also clearly no public demand and the only pressure is coming from the US and their friends in the biotechnology industry. Instead of giving in to this pressure, the UK Government and EU member states should listen to their citizens and reject this unnecessary and unwanted technology. " ____ 17 February 2004 EU decision on GM maize Europe's five year moratorium on new GM products could come to an end tomorrow (Wednesday 18th February) when experts meet to vote on approval of Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) maize for import. If given the go-ahead, it will be the first GM approval in Europe since October 1998 and the first approval under the new GMO directive. Friends of the Earth is urging the Government to put public safety first and reject the application as the product's long-term health effects have not been investigated. Representatives from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will join civil servants from member states to discuss the application from US-based Monsanto at a European Regulatory Committee meeting. It is likely to vote for the GM maize despite consumer concerns about the technology and gaps in the safety studies. The GM maize has been modified to tolerate Monsanto's own herbicide, called Round Up. The application is for import and not for cultivation in Europe. Since 1998 the EU has introduced new regulations to improve the approvals process, tighten GM food labelling and traceability, and has established the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA issued a positive opinion for the GM maize in December 2003. But Friends of the Earth has written to the Secretary of State, Margaret Beckett and the Food Standards Agency detailing concerns that EFSA: - failed to look at the grain's effects on subsequent generations, cumulative toxic effects and the effects on the health of sensitive consumers as required under EU food law - disregarded concern about unexpected discoveries occurring after the genetic modification - insufficiently investigated the possibility of the modification causing more allergies ____ 12 February 2004 Farmers still under threat, two years on from Curry Report The Government has failed to take action on the threat to farmers' livelihoods from unfair trading terms from the big supermarkets, Friends of the Earth said today, as Government ministers meet to discuss progress on the recommendations of the Curry Commission, published two years ago. The environmental campaign group is calling on the Government to impose a new statutory Code of Practice on the supermarkets and to appoint an independent supermarkets watchdog. The existing code has failed to protect farmers and consumers. A Supermarket Code of Practice was introduced in 2002 after the Competition Commission found large supermarkets operating against public interest, by reducing the choice and quality of goods. But the Code is full of weasel words and is too weak to offer any real protection to suppliers. The Curry report raised problems with the Supermarkets Code of Practice, which applies to Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Safeway. The Curry report recommended that: - There should be a full review of the Code two years after its introduction - The Code should cover other retailers and suppliers - The dispute resolution mechanism should be replaced by an independent mediation service Since the report was published a review of the Code was undertaken in February 2003, a year after the Code was introduced. But a further year on, and the OFT has still not published the results. Sir Don Curry has been very critical of the delay in the review being published. No action has been taken to extend application of the Code to other companies, and nothing has been done to address problems with the dispute resolution mechanism. " Two years after the Curry report, it is clear that the supermarket Code of Practice has failed, " said Friends of the Earth Food and Farming Campaigner Sandra Bell. " During that time the Government has allowed the balance of power to tip further in favour of supermarkets by allowing Safeway and Morrison's to merge, putting control of three quarters of food retailing in the hands of just four companies. But it has done nothing to strengthen the protection for farmers and other suppliers from the bullying behaviour of the big supermarkets. " Full press release available at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/farmers_still_under_thre at_12022004.html ____ 5 February 2004 Government must protect UK town centres A survey of local authorities released today by Friends of the Earth today (Thurs 5 February) reveals that supermarkets and other big retailers are building massive store extensions without planning permission, and that local authorities believe they will face difficulties promoting sustainable town centres without the power to control out of town expansions via mezzanine floors. Friends of the Earth is seeking an amendment to the Planning Bill, which it expects to be debated in the Lords on Thursday 5th February, to ensure that in future such developments will go through the normal planning process. The environmental charity argues the loophole in planning law, which allows massive expansions of retail floor space in out-of-town locations, contradicts the Government's recent promise to revive town centres and reduce dependence on out-of-town car-based shopping. Evidence from existing mezzanine floor developments already suggests significant impacts when stores are expanded in this way. More than 13-thousand specialist stores, including butchers, bakers, fishmongers and newsagents, closed between 1997-2002, leaving communities without accessible local shops. The Government promised to investigate the scale of the problem of internal extensions but has not yet reported on this research. Asda-Walmart plans to build 40 mezzanine floors in the UK and is using the new floor space for non-food goods, changing the nature of the store and posing a threat to existing town-centre stores. Full press release with survey results and regional examples available at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/government_must_protect_ uk_05022004.html ____ 2 February 2004 GM crop closer to European growing ban Belgian ministers have rejected an application to grow genetically modified (GM) oilseed rape commercially throughout Europe. The application, from Bayer CropScience, was turned down after research from the UK Farm Scale Evaluations (FSE) showed that growing the crop would damage the environment. Friends of the Earth has welcomed the decision but the environmental protection group criticised the Belgian Government for stopping short of a complete ban by approving the crop for import and processing in Europe. The GM crop, grown in the FSE, was the first to be considered for commercial growing in Europe since approvals were halted in 1998. Belgian experts concluded that growing the GM oilseed rape would have negative impacts on farmland wildlife that could not be controlled. They also agreed that guidelines for farmers to prevent contamination of non- GM crops are unworkable and difficult to monitor. Under European law GM crops must not be allowed to damage the environment. Belgian experts took into account the results of the FSE and the advice from UK GM advisors ACRE, which concluded that growing GM oilseed rape would be worse for wildlife than growing the conventional crop. Another DEFRA study last year shows that insects can carry oilseed rape pollen over many miles and highlights how difficult it would be to contain the cultivation of GM oilseed rape and protect non-GM and organic farming. Full press release available at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/gm_crop_closer_to_europe an_02022004.html ____ 29 January 2004 Gloucestershire goes GM-free Gloucestershire County Council has become the latest county in the South West to go GM free. It follows a vote by councillors yesterday afternoon. Gloucestershire joins a growing number of local authorities around the country responding to local concerns about the effects of eating and growing GM food and crops. Friends of the Earth, which is campaigning for a GM-free Britain has welcomed the vote. The motion was given cross-party support. It urged the Government not to allow the import and commercial growing of GM crops and food, " until and unless public opinion changes " . The council adopted a GM-free policy on all goods and services it is responsible for. It reaffirmed its policy preventing GM crops on land it controls and will apply to use a new European law to prevent GM crops being grown across the entire county. " I am delighted that the council has passed this resolution, expressing the will of the people of Gloucestershire, " said Councillor Jonquil Naish, who proposed the motion. " The numerous letters I have received clearly show that local people don't want GM crops grown in this county, or in the rest of Britain, and they don't want to eat GM food. " Full press release available at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/gloucestershire_goes_gmf re_29012004.html ____ 28 January 2004 Euro blow to GM oilseed rape The commercial development of GM spring oilseed rape was dealt a heavy blow today when Belgian GM advisors outlined serious concerns about its impact on the environment. The GM oil seed rape, which was found to damage farmland wildlife when grown in the UK Farm Scale Evaluations (FSE), is currently being assessed for commercial growing in Europe. Friends of the Earth says that the Belgian authorities now have little choice than to reject the application by biotech firm Bayer. In a separate development The European Commission today gave its backing to a proposal to allow a type of GM maize (known as Bt11) to be imported as food into Europe. Friends of the Earth has serious concerns about the quality of the application. EU ministers now have three months to consider the proposal. The Commission also supported allowing GM contamination in conventional seeds. Friends of the Earth attacked the Commission pointing out that European consumers do not want to eat GM food. GM oilseed rape Bayer has applied to the Belgian authorities for a Europe-wide commercial licence, the first to be considered for growing since approvals were halted in 1998. If Belgium turns down the application, it effectively rejects it for the whole of Europe. If it approves the application, it is then considered by all member states. Both European and Belgian law outlaws GM crops that may cause damage to the environment. The advice, published today by the Belgium Biosafety Council, says that Bayer's GM oilseed rape, which has been engineered to resist the company's own herbicide, risks wider GM contamination. The report says: " gene flow will occur in and outside the field, resulting in herbicide-tolerant oilseed rape volunteers, feral oilseed rape populations and wild relatives " . It continues " negative consequences on biodiversity may not be controlled " and that agricultural guidelines for farmers growing the crop are " impracticable, hardly workable and hard to control " . Containing the crop will be " hard to avoid " and that the long-term effects are " hard to predict " . Full press release available at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/euro_blow_to_gm_oil_seed _r_28012004.html http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/food_and_biotechnology --- - this message is from realfood to from realfood, send a message to majordomo with realfood <your email address> in the message body --- - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.