Save our Seeds

Scientific experts from European Union member states yesterday met with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to discuss ways to strengthen scientific co-operation in the risk assessment of GMOs.The meeting was set up to address concerns of member states about certain aspects of the risk assessment process for genetically modified organisms.The two primary issues raised by the member states were the desire to be more involved in EFSAs assessment approach, as well as a request for feedback on how their comments are taken into account.</p><p><a href="http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?n=67719-efsagmos-risk-assessment">Nutraingredients USA</a>

The World Council of Churches, representing 340 churches in over 100 countries and some 550 million christians, calls to take action to stop "terminator technology". "Applying technology to design sterile seeds turns life, which is a gift from God, into a commodity and will increase economic injustice all over the world" stated its secretary general Samuel Kobia.</p><p><a href="http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/news-management/all-news-english/display-single-english-news/article/1634/take-action-to-stop-termi.html">World Council of Churches - Take action to stop terminator seeds demands WCC general secretary</a>

Our agriculture doesn't need GMO, said CIA (Italian farmers association) president Giuseppe Politi, reasserting the association`s position on this issue, speaking in Rome at the convention on GMO "Grano o grane: Ogm alla prova di Governo". Politi said that CIA`s commitment "is to focus on cornerstones such as quality, differentiated supply, tradition, food security, respect of public health norms, information, traceability, rules, safeguard of biodiversity and environment, technique innovation and a more rational use of chemistry and research.</p><p><a href="http://www.agi.it/english/news.pl?doc=200605101806-1207-RT1-CRO-0-NF51&page=0&id=agionline-eng.arab">AGI online</a>

On 27 April 2006, the Polish Seym (lower house) passed an Act about changes in the Seed Production Act and the Plant Protection Act. The Act had already been passed by the Senate (upper house). The Act still has to be signed by the President. It will not become Law until this is done - and he will be under a lot of pressure from the biotech corporations not to sign! We therefore URGENTLY request you to send letters concerning this issue to the Polish President. The Polish Seeds Act, if signed, will set a precident for the whole of Europe and greatly increase pressure for an EU law giving rights to both regions and countries to ban GMO`s.</p><p><a href="http://icppc.pl/pl/gmo/index.php?id=208#list">ICPPC: Further background and draft letter to the Polish President</a>

The World Trade Organization (WTO) confirmed in a final ruling that the European Union broke trade rules with its six-year moratorium on approving genetically-modified (GMO) foods, diplomats said.</p><p><a href="http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2006-05-11T065018Z_01_L10105775_RTRIDST_0_SCIENCE-TRADE-WTO-GMOS-DC.XML">Reuters</a></p><p><a href="http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2006/AB_11_May_WTO.htm">Friends of the Earth: U.S. did not win transatlantic GM trade dispute</a></p><p><a href="http://euobserver.com/9/21578">EUObserver: WTO ruling against EU unlikely to have any effect</a></p><p><a href="http://www.saveourseeds.org/downloads/news_WTO_Reporter_120506.pdf">WTO Panel Issues Final Ruling in U.S. Case Against EU`s Restrictions on GMO Approvals</a></p><p><a href="http://www.checkbiotech.org/root/index.cfm?fuseaction=newsletter&topic_id=6&subtopic_id=33&doc_id=12766">Herald Tribune: EU to hold firm on modified seeds despite WTO</a>

Meath Co. Council unanimously passed two motions on Monday 8 May, that are widely expected to force the world`s largest chemicals company BASF to abandon a controversial experiment with patented GMO potatoes. The Council`s first motion declares Meath a GMO-free zone. This makes Meath the sixth county on the island to prohibit GMO seeds and crops. The Council`s second motion calls on the EPA to not allow the experimental growing of any GMO seeds or crops in Ireland.</p><p><a href="http://www.gmfreeireland.org/press/GMFI25.pdf">GM-free Ireland: Press Release</a></p><p><a href="http://www.gmfreeireland.org/news/index.php">Irish Labour Party joins GM-free Ireland campaign</a>

The report is on implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003 concerning the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and the traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC</p><p><a href="http://www.saveourseeds.org/downloads/Commission_Rep_Label_Trace_090506.pdf">Report from the Commission</a>

A European Union committee said Wednesday it had agreed to force Europe`s laboratory to adopt international rules which will make increase transparency about its decisions on genetically modified organisms.</p><p><a href="http://www.checkbiotech.org/root/index.cfm?fuseaction=newsletter&topic_id=5&subtopic_id=25&doc_id=12749">checkbiotech.org</a>

From now on, in previously GM-free Slovakia, it should be possible to plant transgenic corn. Monsanto is ready for "experimental" planting.</p><p><a href="http://www.checkbiotech.org/root/index.cfm?fuseaction=newsletter&topic_id=1&subtopic_id=7&doc_id=12753">checkbiotech.org: Slovakia at the edge of a transgenic downfall</a>

The Biosafety Protocols Secretariat, located in Montreal, has issued a job announcement for a senior environmental officer.</p><p><a href="https://jobs.un.org/Galaxy/Release3/vacancy/Display_Vac.aspx?lang=1200&VACID=c06459ad-ade6-457c-b82d-e30522c7628c">UN: Senior Environmental Affairs Officer</a>