GMO
A ‘menagerie of gene-edited animals’ besides GE salmon
The FDA approval of genetically engineered salmon for human consumption raised the curtain on a "menagerie of gene-edited animals ... already being raised on farms and in laboratories around the world — some designed for food, some to fight disease, some, perhaps, as pets," reports the New York Times.
EPA withdraws approval of Dow’s Enlist Duo herbicide
The government withdrew its approval of Dow's Enlist Duo herbicide because the combination of two weedkillers is more powerful than originally believed and could endanger "non-target plants." The EPA acted just over a year after approving the herbicide, a combination of 2,4-D and glyphosate, the most widely used weedkiller in the world.
Genetically modified citrus trees resist greening disease
University of Florida researchers say they have developed genetically modified citrus trees that resist the greening disease that threatens to destroy the industry. Citrus greening, spread by the tiny psyllid lice, causes misshapen fruit and eventually kills most infected trees.
Vilsack: China to move quickly on GMO crops, beef imports
At annual U.S.-China trade talks, China "indicated today it would move quickly to review the 11 agricultural biotechnology events [GMO crop varieties] pending approval, and continue our dialogue on access for U.S. beef," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a U.S. statement. "My hope is that over the next 30 to 60 days, these words are met with consistent action."
Costco won’t sell GMO salmon
The warehouse retailer Costco said it "does not intend to sell GM salmon at this time," reports the Seattle Times. The FDA approved commercial sale and consumption last week of the AquAdvantage salmon developed by AquaBounty Technologies.
GE salmon a long way from US dinner plate despite FDA approval
For the first time, the FDA has approved the sale and consumption of a genetically engineered animal, the AquAdvantage salmon developed by a Massachusetts company. Although FDA approval is a signal achievement for the biotechnology industry - the first GE crops went on the market in 1996 - it could be years before fillets or steaks from the fast-growing salmon are sold in supermarkets.
Capitol Hill mulls pre-emption of states on GMO labeling
Lawmakers are considering an omnibus spending bill as a vehicle to pre-empt states from requiring labels on GMO foods. Instead, they would come up with other means for consumers to learn what is in their food, such as scanning a bar code with a smart phone.
Anti-GMO law faces repeal in Western Australia
The agriculture minister of Western Australia is moving to repeal the state's GM Crop Free Areas Act with repeal by the state Parliament almost certain, says Australia's ABC News. Agriculture Minister Ken Baston planned to introduce the repeal legislation on Thursday, "a move which pro-GM advocates said would safeguard the industry's future."
Enviros sue Canada over export of GE salmon eggs
Environmental groups went to court in Canada in a bid to block a government-approved plan to produce genetically engineered salmon eggs in Canada for shipment to Panama, where they would grow into fish, says the Guardian.
European panel says glyphosate unlikely to cause cancer
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which advises EU policy makers, says glyphosate, the most widely used weedkiller in the world, is unlikely to cause cancer in humans, said Reuters. The finding is contrary to the conclusion of WHO's cancer agency in March that glyphosate, the main ingredient in Monsanto's herbicide Roundup, is "probably carcinogenic to humans."
FDA asks how to define “natural” on food labels
Beginning today, FDA will accept suggestions through Feb 10 on whether the government should define the word "natural" on food labels and if it does, what it should mean. FDA said it requested comment because of three petitions asking for it to define "natural" and a citizen petition saying it should ban the word from food labels.
“The whole apple is too much of a commitment”
Neal Carter, "the world's most infamous apple farmer," tells Buzzfeed that his genetically engineered Arctic apple is a response to Americans' demand for convenience in food and will reduce food waste. The apple flesh resists browning and bruising when it is sliced. "An apple's not convenient enough," Carter tells Stephanie Lee. "That's the truth. The whole apple is too much of a commitment in today's world."
China revamps seed law, keeps controls on major crops
In the first change to China’s Seed Law since enactment in 2000, the top legislature relaxed regulation over nearly two dozen crops but said new varieties of five major crops - rice, corn, wheat, soybeans and cotton - will still need regulatory approval before they go on the market, said Xinhua.
EU Parliament says no to opt-out power on GE imports
Members of the European Parliament rejected a proposal to let EU countries ban imports of genetically engineered food and livestock feed, potentially killing “an initiative that was greeted with widespread criticism," reports Bloomberg.
Simplot part of project for blight-resistant GMO potatoes in Asia
The company that developed GMO potatoes that resist bruising will work with two universities to develop genetically modified blight-resistant potatoes for farmers in Indonesia and Bangladesh, reports Capital Press. A spokesman for JR Simplot Co., based in Boise, said the new varieties may be available for cultivation in five years.
GMO canola ‘volunteers’ found in Perth suburbs
Farmers in Western Australia grow GMO and non-GMO varieties of canola with safeguards in place to prevent commingling of the strains. The reliability of the safeguards was questioned after "volunteer" GMO canola plants were discovered growing along roadsides in four Perth suburbs, far from the nearest grain farm, said The Western Australian newspaper.
Biotech corn blamed briefly for Iowa poll results
When a poll put Donald Trump in second place in Iowa, biotech corn was fingered as the culprit on social media before the Trump campaign apologized, says Agri-Pulse. The dustup began when Trump's Twitter feed reposted a tweet that originated with a Nevada businessman, who noted that surgeon Ben Carson was leading Trump in Iowa, and then added: "Too much #Monsanto in the #corn creates issues in the brain?"
Stabenow: GMO pre-emption ‘needs to move quickly’ in Senate
he Democratic leader on the Senate Agriculture Committee said she is committed to passing a bill that pre-empts state GMO food-labeling laws. "This needs to needs to move quickly," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan. Vermont's first-in-the-nation labeling law will take effect on July 1. The food industry says Congress needs to override the Vermont law before the end of this year to prevent a costly hodgepodge of labeling rules.
GM crops grown on 55 percent of U.S. cropland, says USDA
Farmer adoption of genetically modified crop varieties is spreading beyond the well-known dominance of the major field crops of corn, soybeans, and cotton, said a USDA report. When lesser-known GM crops such as canola, potatoes, and apples are counted, about 55 percent of U.S. cropland is planted to GM varieties, said the Economic Research Service report.