Save our Seeds

Representatives of 100 countries gather 12-16 June in Madrid for the first meeting of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, to discuss financial strategies, access to plant genetic resources and the rights of farmers to a share of the benefits deriving from their use.</p><p><a href="http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000324/index.html">FAO: First meeting of treaty on genetic resources for agriculture opens today</a></p><p><a href="http://www.fao.org/ag/cgrfa/gb1.htm">Official documents of the meeting</a></p><p><a href="http://www.iisd.ca/vol09/enb09364e.html">ENB: Updates from Madrid</a></p><p><a href="http://www.ukabc.org/iu2.htm">UK food group: background on the Treaty</a>

The establishment of a new EU "technology platform" on biofuels has been enthusiastically welcomed by Europes GMO industry association "Europa-Bio" as "yet another key step in the integration of biotechnology into the infrastructure of the European economy. Biotechnology had the potential to enable the production of fuels and chemicals.</p><p><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=44845"></a></p><p><a href="http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/gp/gp_events/article_1567_en.htm">EU: Launching Conference of the European Technology Platform for Biofuels</a></p><p><a href="http://www.gnn.tv/articles/2355/Green_Fuel_s_Dirty_Secret">Background from the USA: Green Fuel`s Dirty Secret</a>

On June 19th the European Food Safety Authority, the European Commissionand national experts from all member states will be meetingto discuss three GMO applications for cultivation: Syngenta`s Bt11,Pioneers 1507 and BASF`s high starch potato. While some approvals have been granted for food and feed no GMO has been approved within the EU for cultivation since 1998. The meeting, which will also impact the next Council of Environmental ministers on June 27th aims to come to a consensus on the future direction on this highly controversial issue. Environmental groups urge the Commission and member states to re-think their approach to risk assessment and take a precautionary approach.</p><p><a href="http://www.foeeurope.org/publications/2006/hidden_uncertainties.pdf"> FOE: Hidden uncertainties</a></p><p><a href="http://www.saveourseeds.org/downloads/Greenpeace EFSA_demands June 2006.pdf">Greenpeace: Demands to EFSA risk assessment</a></p><p><a href="http://www.saveourseeds.org/downloads/FOE_1507_critique_2006.pdf">FOE: Analysis of Pioneers GM maize 1507 risk assessment</a>

Oxford University biologists report the on-going extinction in a European plant species by a relative swamping it with incompatible pollen.The findings will help predict the fate of plant species and the potential impact of pollen flow from genetically modified crops.</p><p><a href="http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/po/060523.shtml">University of Oxford: Male plant species eradicates hermaphrodite relatives</a>

The scientific panel on GMOs of the European Food Safety authority is about to be re-appointed. The 21 scientists from 13 countries have been frequently accused of rubber stamping GMO approvals and neglecting critical science. "EFSA is now installing a new set of scientists and this time, public health and environmental safety must be put before the interests of big business," demanded Friends of the Earth.</p><p><a href="http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2006/AB_30_May_EFSA.htm">FoE: Friends of the Earth demands sacking of industry scientists inEFSA shake up</a>

After heated debates over potential terrorist use of new tools to synthesise viruses and other pathogenic materials that can be ordered by gene synthesis firms scientists at an international conference on synthetic biology in Berekely rejected a concept of self governance that had been criticised by environmental organisations.</p><p><a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn9211-synthetic-biologists-reject-controversial-guidelines.html">New Scientist: Synthetic biologists reject controversial guidelines</a></p><p><a href="http://syntheticbiology.org/SB2Declaration.html">Draft declaration of scientists</a>

The EU Council on Agriculture and Fisheries discussed the controversial issues of seed threshholds, co-existence as well as new guidelines for organic production. The general conclusions adopted were vague enough to satisfy none of the participants and stakeholders. The ministers agreed that thresholds for GM contamination in seeds should be set, but did not agree on threshold levels. They also asked the Commission to examine the need for additional co-existence legislation. A Council working group will continue on the issue.</p><p><a href="http://www.seedquest.com/News/releases/2006/may/15853.htm">Seedquest: GMO contamination of organic products controversial</a></p><p><a href="http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?n=67932-gmo-agriculture-eu">Food Navigator: GM organic contamination stokes EU controversy</a></p><p><a href="http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/agricult/89691.pdf">Council conclusions - GM at pp. 9-12</a></p><p><a href="http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2006/HH_22_May_council.htm">Friends of the Earth: Protest at ministers meeting</a>

While genetic engineering is considered to be based on interventions into existing organisms, which could not occure naturally, "Synthetic Biology" is defined by its promotors as "the design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems, and the re-design of existing, natural biological systems for useful purposes." On May 20-22 in Berkely, California, an international conference will discuss latest developments and a proposal for self-governance to handle the massive challenges of biosafety and biosecurity as well as societal impacts of "SB". A global coalition of NGOs has issued an open letter to the participants asking them to abstain from a self-regulatory approach and enter a broad dialogue about binding regulations instead.</p><p><a href="http://www.etcgroup.org/article.asp?newsid=562">Open letter: Global Coalition Sounds the Alarm on Synthetic Biology - Demands Oversight and Societal Debate</a></p><p><a href="http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/research/story/0,,1780455,00.html">Guardian: Concern over creation of new life forms</a></p><p><a href="http://syntheticbiology.org/">Synthetic Biology web-site with link to conference and discussion</a></p><p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/17/science/17synt.html?ei=5070&en=06e88d255305d100&ex=1148097600&pagewanted=print">New York Times (Jan 2006): Custom-Made Microbes, at Your Service</a></p><p><a href="http://www.syntheticgenomics.com">homepage of Craig Venters Synthetic Genomics Inc.</a>

The Polish president Lech Kaczynski has signed a ban on the sale and registration of genetically modified seeds. The ban had been approved by both chambers of the parliament and slams European legislation, which does not allow for general bans of GMOs.</p><p><a href="http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/releases/polish-ge-seed-ban">Greenpeace: Polish GE seed ban big step towards sustainable agriculture</a></p><p><a href="http://icppc.pl/pl/gmo/eng_index.php">Anti-GMO campaign of of IPCC</a>

While the Financial Express in India claims that WTO plays god over transgenics right at the moment when India is busy finalising its labeling norms on GMOs, the American Soygrowers Association considers the EU traceability and labeling review a whitewash</p><p><a href="http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=127073">The Financial Express India</a></p><p><a href="http://www.soygrowers.com/newsroom/r051006b.htm">ASA (American Soygrowers Association)</a>