18/July/22

 

Monsanto/Bayer has obtained an injunction against Mexico's presidential decree banning GMO corn and progressively eliminating the use of glyphosate. However, the Mexican federal government can challenge the ruling. The sentence indicates that the decree lacks legal grounds and motivation, in addition to the fact that it does not explain the effects on health caused by the use of glyphosate and transgenic corn. La Jornada

 

 

Renate Künast, Germany's former Minister of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture, commented on the above report: "When Bayer wants to improve its image, but does not accept that Mexico wants to protect its maize biodiversity and takes legal action to stop it, then we know what to think of its talk." Renate Künast on Twitter @RenateKuenast

 

 

The ban on GMO wheat in the province of Buenos Aires has been suspended while an appeal takes place. The appeal was lodged by the provincial government, which "knelt before the power of agribusiness, turning its back on the people and public health", according to scientist Dr Damián Marino. @GMWatch on Twitter

 

 

Exposure to glyphosate herbicide during application had significant effects on oxidative stress and lung function in maize farmers, a study conducted in Northern Thailand has found. Lung function decreased statistically significantly after the application of glyphosate herbicide. BMC Public Health

 

 

The world is witnessing a renewed push for GM seeds and crops. As in the past, biotech firms and agribusiness are pitching new GM plants as a silver bullet for humanity’s woes, from food and nutritional insecurity to climate change and the loss of biodiversity. The corporate sector hopes that their new GMOs can gain public support and dodge biosafety regulations. This is resulting in the change of laws and standards governing GMOs across Asian countries. Gene-edited products, a new generation of GMOs, are particularly gaining ground and receiving commercial licenses. This causes great concern among consumers, farming communities and activists. GRAIN

 

 

The current crisis in Sri Lanka is linked to the failure of its economic model, based on tourism and exports, according to experts interviewed by franceinfo. After the terror attacks in 2019 and the pandemic in 2020, the island was emptied of its tourists. Sri Lanka lost the majority of its foreign exchange earnings and Sri Lankans employed in the tourism sector were left jobless and without income. The country quickly found itself in a situation of imbalance in balance of payments and foreign debt exploded. Exports and tourism no longer brought in enough revenue to finance imports. Also, the transition to organic was made too abruptly. The agronomist Jacques Caplat, a specialist in agroecology, said, "We cannot ask farmers to switch to organic in one year. For example, to produce organic wheat or rice, you have to put in legumes the year before." franceinfo (French language article)

 

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