Confronting contamination : 5 reasons to reject co-existence by GRAIN | 28 Apr 2004 Seedling - April 2004 It's time for some straight talk on contamination and co-existence. The co-existence of genetically modified (GM) crops and non-GM crops is not possible and policy makers need to stop pretending that it is. Genetic contamination is an inevitable consequence of GM agriculture and a debliberate ploy by the industry to make the global acceptance of GM crops a fait accompli. Forget co-existence, we must say no to GM crops altogether. It's time for some straight talk on contamination and co-existence. The co-existence of genetically modified (GM) crops and non-GM crops is not possible and policy makers need to stop pretending that it is. Genetic contamination is an inevitable consequence of GM agriculture and a debliberate ploy by the industry to make the global acceptance of GM crops a fait accompli. Forget co-existence, we must say no to GM crops altogether.
A short history of farming in Latin America by Walter Pengue | 25 Apr 2004 Seedling - April 2004 Between 2001 and 2003, GRAIN commissioned a series of reports from various countries in Latin America to examine the takeover of food and farming by transnational corporations. This is the summary report from the project. What emerges is a picture of lost opportunity – a continent well endowed to be self-sufficient in food that is systematically giving up its food sovereignty to foreign corporate interests. In doing so, it is undermining food security across the continent. Between 2001 and 2003, GRAIN commissioned a series of reports from various countries in Latin America to examine the takeover of food and farming by transnational corporations. This is the summary report from the project. What emerges is a picture of lost opportunity – a continent well endowed to be self-sufficient in food that is systematically giving up its food sovereignty to foreign corporate interests. In doing so, it is undermining food security across the continent.
To eat or not to eat? An obscure UN agency tries to provide an answer by Phil Bereano and Eliott Peacock | 22 Apr 2004 Seedling - April 2004 As the politics around genetically modified (GM) food and crops intensifies, the regulatory scene is also becoming more complicated. One of the instruments that could play a significant role in the future is the UN's Codex Alimentarius. The authors outline Codex's relationship to other relevant treaties, and argue for strong lobbying from civil society to help give Codex the teeth it needs to be an effective instrument for the regulation of GM foods. As the politics around genetically modified (GM) food and crops intensifies, the regulatory scene is also becoming more complicated. One of the instruments that could play a significant role in the future is the UN's Codex Alimentarius. The authors outline Codex's relationship to other relevant treaties, and argue for strong lobbying from civil society to help give Codex the teeth it needs to be an effective instrument for the regulation of GM foods.
Bt cotton on Mali's doorstep by GRAIN | 18 Apr 2004 Seedling - April 2004 The world's biggest agrochemical companies and the US government are rushing to introduce genetically modified (GM) crops into West Africa, starting with cotton. Bt cotton has already hit Burkina Faso and Senegal, and Mali is next. Benin and Ivory Coast are also on the list of targets. For many of these countries cotton is the top export crop, and national and community livelihoods are closely tied to cotton revenues. Will Bt cotton fulfil its promises of increased profits for farmers? The world's biggest agrochemical companies and the US government are rushing to introduce genetically modified (GM) crops into West Africa, starting with cotton. Bt cotton has already hit Burkina Faso and Senegal, and Mali is next. Benin and Ivory Coast are also on the list of targets. For many of these countries cotton is the top export crop, and national and community livelihoods are closely tied to cotton revenues. Will Bt cotton fulfil its promises of increased profits for farmers?
A new partnership for Africa? by GRAIN | 14 Apr 2004 Seedling - April 2004 Recently it has been impossible to talk about development in Africa without mentioning NEPAD (New Partnership for African Development). But what is NEPAD? Recently it has been impossible to talk about development in Africa without mentioning NEPAD (New Partnership for African Development). But what is NEPAD?
Biodiversity Convention to develop by GRAIN | 9 Apr 2004 Seedling - April 2004 After a decade of delaying tactics from developed countries, the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will now attempt to implement the CBD's nearly forgotten objective of benefit sharing. After a decade of delaying tactics from developed countries, the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will now attempt to implement the CBD's nearly forgotten objective of benefit sharing.
Interview - Hope Shand by GRAIN | 5 Apr 2004 Seedling - April 2004 Hope Shand is Research Director for the Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration (ETC Group). She has has written extensively on the topic of agricultural biodiversity, and on the social and economic impacts of new biotechnologies. Hope Shand is Research Director for the Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration (ETC Group). She has has written extensively on the topic of agricultural biodiversity, and on the social and economic impacts of new biotechnologies.