Save our Seeds

The new regulations on genetically modified food and feed and on labelling and traceabilty of such food and feed, which had been agreed by the Parliament and the Council in July this year, have now been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. They will enter into force on November 7th 2003 and must be implemented by all companies in April 2004 the latest.</p><p><a href="http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/archive/2003/l_26820031018en.html">Official Journal L 268 available in all languages of the EU</a>

Up to 600 million GM crop plants could grow in Britain annually under plans drawn up by the European Commission to be considered next week.The plans would in effect bring in GM agriculture by the back door, and seriously compromise organic farming across Europe. They could lead to European farmers growing more than six billion genetically modified crop plants every year, without realising it.British ministers will decide this week whether to back the plan at the meeting, and their verdict could be decisive. Britain has so far supported it - but ministers are now reassessing their position in the light of accumulating evidence about the hazards of GM crops.</p><p><a href="http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/environment/story.jsp?story=454870">Up to 600 million GM plants could be grown in Britain every year</a>

There have been striking similarities between the way the Government has handled the unfolding Iraq crisis and the controversy over genetically modified crops. In each case deeply unpopular policies have been zealously pursued by Tony Blair. The difference between GM and Iraq is that, following last week`s unfavourable verdict on the GM crop trials, the truth has emerged before major damage has been done, writes the Independent.</p><p><a href="http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/environment/story.jsp?story=454811">Independent on Sunday focus on GMOs</a></p><p><a href="http://argument.independent.co.uk/commentators/story.jsp?story=454758">Michael Meacher: Science backs consumers' rejection of GM food - are you listening Tony?"</a>

U.S. biotech companies and research universities have violated federal regulations on planting experimental genetically modified crops more than a hundred times in the last decade, the US Agriculture Department disclosed.</p><p><a href="http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=3639316">Reuters: USDA reports 115 infractions of U.S. biotech rules</a>

<a href="http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/environment/story.jsp?story=454200">Independent: Proven: the environmental dangers that may halt GM revolution</a>

English Nature, the lead agency for the British statutory nature conservation agencies, gave their initial reaction to the scientific results from the Farm Scale Evaluations of GM crops: "They confirm our long-held concerns that some GM herbicide tolerant crops could further intensify arable farming and harm wildlife."<a href="http://www.english-nature.org.uk/news/story.asp?ID=525">English Nature, press release</a>

The long awaited publication of the scientific evaluation of Europes largest experiment with GM crops over the past years drew mixed reactions. The scientists claim that GM rape seed and beet had more negative impacts on wildlife while GM maize had some beneficial results. The government commented with caution. Environmental groups called for a ban of GMO growing in the UK.</p><p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/gmdebate/Story/0,2763,1064295,00.html">Guardian: GM trials reveal mixed impact on wildlife</a></p><p><a href="http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2003/fseresults.htm">Defra website with press release and links to full reports</a></p><p><a href="http://www.zs-l.de/saveourseeds/downloads/uk_results_compilation.pdf">A Compilation of the research results</a></p><p><a href="http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/contentlookup.cfm?ucidparam=20031016120146&MenuPoint=D-I-B">Greenpeace press release</a></p><p><a href="http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/gm_crops_blair_who_do_you.html">Friends of the Earth press release</a>

Even as awareness of genetically modified (GM) foods remains low among US consumers, general support for GM crops is falling in the US while opposition stifles in the UK. An overview on public perception in the US and the UK in the latest "Scientist".</p><p><a href="http://www.biomedcentral.com/news/20031015/04">The Scientist: Americans unsure about GM foods</a>

The State Congress of Parana approved Oct. 14 a law which forbids the planting,commercialization and processing of GE soya in the State ofParana until December 31, 2006. It also prohibits to export GE soya produced inother Brazilian States and/or other countries through the ports ofParanagua and Antonina. "The State Assembly voted in favor of Parana State. That is whatwe expected. Becoming GE free we are also becoming free fromthose who intended, and who still intend, to put Parana farmersinto the trap that GE seeds represent", said Roberto Requiao,governor of Parana.</p><p><a href="http://www3.pr.gov.br/e-parana/">homepage of the government of parana with press release of the Governor</a></p><p><a href="http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200310/145986266.pdf">USDA Analysis of the interim Brazilian law to allow growing of GM soybeans in certain regions</a>

Monsanto, the huge American biotechnology company which has pioneered GM crops, is withdrawing from many of its European operations and laying off 7 to 9 percent of its global workforce.</p><p><a href="http://news.independent.co.uk/world/environment/story.jsp?story=453822">Independent</a></p><p><a href="http://www.monsanto.com/monsanto/layout/media/03/10-15-03.asp">Monsanto Company Reports Financial Results For Periods Ended Aug. 31, 2003</a>