10/March/21

 

The UK Government claims that gene editing mimics conventional breeding and does not require any special regulation. These claims are untested and unreliable but the government is seeking support for them through a public consultation. Gene editing techniques are new and evolving and there remains a lot we don’t know about them. The government’s approach to gene editing and to the consultation also sweeps a whole wealth of wider issues under the carpet. At this moment, it is vital we challenge the government’s proposals. We need as many voices as possible to take part in the consultation before the deadline on Wednesday 17 March. [GMW: If you're an organic farmer or grower, or just a member of the public, and haven't yet responded to the consultation, this quick guide by the Soil Association will help you do so.] Soil Association

 

 

Critical Scientists Switzerland have welcomed the planned extension of the Swiss moratorium on genetic engineering. In particular, they say they agree that organisms produced using newer genetic engineering techniques should fall under the current Gene Technology Act and that they should be regulated according to the requirements therein (precautionary principle, risk assessment, step-by-step procedures, labelling, monitoring). Critical Scientists Switzerland on Twitter @CriticScienceCH

 

 

In a very listenable interview, Carey Gillam talks about her new book, The Monsanto Papers – the story of Roundup weedkiller, cancer, and the corruption of science. You can also download Carey’s first chapter for free here. St Louis Public Radio

 

 

Planning documents for the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit shed new light on the agenda behind the controversial food summit that hundreds of farmers’ and human rights groups are boycotting. The groups say agribusiness interests and elite foundations are dominating the process to push through an agenda that would enable the exploitation of global food systems, and especially Africa. US Right to Know

 

 

Mayors in 10 communes have introduced new regulations against pesticide use under local laws against the disposing of dangerous waste and neighbourhood disturbance. Mayors in Arcueil, Bagneux, Cachan, Gennevilliers, L’île-Saint-Denis, Malakoff, Montfermeil, Nanterre, Savigny-le-Temple and Sceaux - all communes in Ile-de-France - introduced the new decree on March 3. One of the three articles in the decree says farmers cannot use pesticides if they cannot guarantee that chemicals will not spread onto neighbouring land. The Connexion