[Pil-pc-oceania] Madge Digest 13th December 2007

[Deb Guildner]

MadGE - Mothers Against Genetic Engineering
----- Original Message ----- 
From: MadGE Network Victoria 
To: Deborah Guildner 
Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 3:50 PM
Subject: Madge Digest 13th December 2007



Deborah, this weeks digest...
Thursday 13th December, 2007 - Digest No. #18
  1.. Do you eat silage? Analysis of feeding trials of GM food 
  2.. Regulation and testing of GM food and crops in Australia 
  3.. Animal feed is tested rather than human food. 
  4.. MADGE strategy development 
  5.. Say no to GM foods site 
  6.. "Sungold", "FM" and "Great Ocean Rd Premium" milk from GM fed cows? 
  7.. Second largest meat processor say lifting ban a "terrible way to go" 
  8.. Cost of Roundup rises as supplies fall. 
  9.. Paraguay protests against agrochemicals 
  10.. GM crops and South America - what herbicide tolerant crops really mean 
  11.. Eat less carbon - food footprints 
1. Do you eat silage and are you concerned about your deboned breast meat weight? 
If not, you may be less than satisfied with the animal feeding studies of GM reviewed in this article.

2. Regulation and testing of GM food and crops in Australia 
The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) is responsible for protecting the health and safety of people and the environment by identifying and managing the risks associated with Genetically Modified Organisms. 

However, when asked by Senator Cherry whether the OGTR had "commissioned any research on (the) impact on biodiversity in Australia on GM crops?" The Gene Technology Regulator Sue Meek replied "No, we have not." Transcript here. 

During this exchange it is revealed that Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), who the OGTR relies on for assessments of the safety of GM food, had commissioned no research into the effects on human health of GM food. 

This discussion between Senators Cherry, Heffernan and the regulator also details the near impossibility of avoiding contamination of non-GM canola.

Regarding the Gene Technology Regulator, Sue Meek "There are questions about (whether) a career path so consistently built around biotechnology commercialization was appropriate for a key regulatory figure." 

The regulatory process is examined and found wanting in this article.

3. Animal feed is tested rather than human food. 
FSANZ relies on the scientific data provided by the Genetech companies who wish to release a GM crop. As noted above, they commission no research into GM food. 

In the case of Roundup Ready canola (GT73) Monsanto submitted feeding trials where rats were fed canola meal. Canola meal is an animal feed, canola oil is used for human consumption yet has undergone no animal feeding trials.

In the tests that Monsanto submitted to FSANZ the livers of rats fed GM canola were 12-16% heavier than those fed non-GM varieties. This may indicate liver disease or inflammation. If this were caused by oil-soluble toxins, they may be present in canola oil. 

FSANZ accepted the explanation that the increased liver weights were caused by an increased level of a toxin (glucosinolates) in the GM canola. Since they are not present in canola it was assumed the RR canola oil was safe. The level of glucosinolates was well within the CODEX limits of safety. Therefore either the allowable level of glucosinolates is too high or something else is causing the increase in liver weights and further testing should be undertaken.

FSANZ is currently asking for public comment on possible changes to the food code including various GM crops and enzymes. Please feel free to make a submission.

4. MADGE strategy development 
In light of the above items MADGE is currently developing a strategy to ask the Federal Government for a moratorium on growing GM canola until adequate feeding trials of GM canola oil have been undertaken. 

MADGE will also ask for full labeling, including effective monitoring and enforcement, of GM-derived foods currently on the shelves. Watch for details and any suggestions would be gratefully received at info at madge.org.au

5. Have a look at a new site and say no to GM foods.
http://www.saynotogmfoods.com/

6. Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory (WCBF) will have no restriction on cows supplying their milk being fed on GM stock feed.
"The science is saying there is no impact (on the milk from GM feed) - so all the milk is GM free.Our customers are telling us that as well: that there is not a concern." 

If you disagree why not contact Mr. Kearney at WCBF?

Their products include "Sungold" milk and "FM" brand flavoured milk. 

Email : nkearney at wcbf.com.au 
Tel : 03-5563 2100 
Address : 5331 Great Ocean Rd, Allansford Vic 3277 

And also ask your IGA store whether they will stock "Sungold" milk and other WCBF products

7. Teys Brothers
The second biggest meat processor in Australia, Teys Borthers, says lifting the ban on growing GM canola "a terrible way to go". They cite the perceived health risks of GM as likely to affect their trade with Japan. 

8. Cost of Roundup rises as supplies fall. 
Roundup Ready® and Invigor® canola are the two types of GM canola authorized to be grown next year. They are both herbicide resistant, meaning they can be sprayed with herbicide and not die.

However, there is now a worldwide shortage of Roundup and prices have risen from $85 for a 20 litre drum in March to $195 currently. This is because there is an increased area of RR corn being grown for biofuel, so use of the herbicide has increased and this demand has led to rising prices and potential shortages.

The other factor is that China is now the dominant producer of herbicides due to lax regulations. However, now stricter controls are being enforced, supply is being reduced.

9. Paraguay protests against agrochemicals
Paraguayans organised a parade to present their government with a letter asking them to control and regulate:

  a.. The indiscriminate use of agrochemicals in Paraguay's rural areas 
  b.. The location of a chemical factory in urban areas 
  c.. The construction of the Cargill company's megaport in Asuncion's harbour 
"If swift and decisive action is not taken, the deaths and illness caused by these substances will be the responsibility of the authorities." 

10. GM crops and South America - what herbicide tolerant crops really mean 
This article gives a sobering overview of the reasons for the development of GM crops and the effects they are having in South America. 

In the mid 1970's there were 7000 seed companies worldwide and none had more that 0.5% of market share. Now Monsanto is the biggest seed company in the world. Ten companies control 49% of the world seed market and all are developing GM seed. Five of the 10 companies include Monsanto, DuPont, Dow Agriscience, Syngenta and Bayer Crop Science The antidote to the above is the fantastic work being done to link small farmers of the world together link to Via Campesina. 

11. Eat less carbon and build a community at the same time
Food contributes 28.3% of a household's Greenhouse Gas emissions. This is four times more than emissions from electricity use. Moreland Energy Foundation's newsletter has put together imaginative, attractive and practical suggestions about how to garden, cook a local Moreland meal and develop a local food economy. 

Happy eating, 
Love Madge 
info at madge.org.au
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