Monsanto Soy Blocked by Yucatan Beekeepers

Reposted from Yucatan Times

Echoing a recent block in Poland, beekeepers have succeeded in preventing, through two suspensions obtained in amparo (specialized protection), the seeding of transgenic soy for 253,500 hectares in Campeche, Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, and Chiapas.

59 organizations of beekeepers, environmentalists, and NGO´s have maintained that the amparos (or protections) granted by the second district court of Campeche, are setting a precedent to continue demanding the definitive suspension of permits that have been issued by SAGARPA to Monsanto.

The organizations added in their press release communication that they will not cease in their fight for production that is free of transgenic interference. They have been encouraged greatly by the recent Felipe Carrillo Puerto council, which approved the initiative to declare its territory a “GMO-free zone”.

France Demands Suspension of Monsanto GMO Corn Approval

France asked the European Commission on Monday to suspend authorization to plant Monsanto’s genetically modified (GM) MON810 corn, the environment ministry said, as the country seeks to keep a ban on GM crops despite losing court rulings.

France banned in 2008 the growing of MON810 corn, the only GM crop approved for planting in the European Union, citing environmental risks.

Its highest court ruled against the ban in November, following a similar decision by the European Court of Justice last September, leading the government to say it would look at all ways to maintain the freeze on GM planting.

The French government’s request to the EU executive was based on “significant risks for the environment” shown in recent scientific studies, the ministry said in a statement.

EU governments are divided over authorizing GM crop cultivation, with some countries like France reluctant to allow them in view of public hostility.

Denmark, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU, is seeking to revive stalled talks on allowing individual countries to decide on whether to allow GM crops.

Genetically modified moths called crop aid

cross posted from UPI

A British company says genetically modified moths it has developed could be used to reduce the population of the vegetable-eating insects.

Oxitec says its modified male diamondback moths, carrying a lethal gene, could be released into the countryside, which would cause their offspring to die almost immediately — with a resulting fall in their numbers and increased vegetable yields for farmers, The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday.

The company said it would like to start trials next year but the proposal faces stiff opposition from organizations concerned about risks to wildlife and to human health.

“Mass releases of GM insects into the British countryside would be impossible to recall if anything went wrong,” Helen Wallace, the director of GeneWatch UK, said.

“Changing one part of an ecosystem can have knock-on effects on others in ways that are poorly understood,” she said. “This could include an increase in different types of pest. Wildlife that feeds on insects could be harmed if there are changes to their food supply.”

Using GM insects to kill the pests that prey on food crops is better for the environment than chemical sprays, Oxitec Chief Executive Officer Hadyn Parry said.

There is a demand from farmers for the technology and Oxitec is developing a number of GM insects for use in Britain and around the world to protect crops, Parry said.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2011/12/15/Genetically-modified-moths-called-crop-aid/UPI-35501323997284/#ixzz1gimTA1Ew