Norfolk Plant Sciences (NPS) has released a statement saying that they are aware that an individual named Bruno Fournier is offering what he claims to be their GM Purple Tomato seeds for sale on his Facebook page in Europe. This variety has not been registered or approved for use in Europe, and Norfolk has not authorised its sale or distribution outside the United States, where it is legally permitted, according to a press release. NPS has reached out to the seller, demanding that he immediately stop offering their seeds, and have reported this unauthorised activity to the US government and the European Commission. “We strongly advise the European tomato-growing community to avoid purchasing or planting these seeds,” states the release. [GMW: While we agree with Norfolk Plant Sciences on this matter, there's a possibility that they have themselves been guilty of a biosafety breach involving their GM tomato: see this.] SeedWorld

 

 

Hungary, which helms the EU Council for the rest of the year, has cancelled a planned meeting in September where national representatives were set to discuss the proposed new genomic techniques (NGTs, new GM techniques) regulation. The cancelled meeting comes after a tumultuous discussion on the draft legislation in late July, according to industry observers, where the Hungarian presidency tabled a non-paper effectively pausing talks on a compromise while reopening a series of questions considered as settled by the previous presidency. [GMW: For our take on the Hungarian proposals, see this.] ENDS Europe (paywalled)

 

 

The most important European industry associations of the "Non-GMO" sector will be hosting the "International Non-GMO Summit 2024" in Frankfurt am Main in Germany on 8 October 2024. International experts from politics, business and science will provide information on current important topics and trends in the "Non-GMO" markets worldwide. The focus will be on the ongoing political debate surrounding new genetic engineering and its potential impact on the "Non-GMO" and organic sectors. The "Non-GMO" sector sees the basis of its existence threatened by the EU Commission's proposed abolition of labelling, traceability and transparency for the majority of plants produced using new genetic engineering. For a credible and reliable "Non-GMO" label, all parties along the value chain as well as consumers must know which products and product components have been produced with genetic engineering. The draft presented by the EU Commission in July 2023 for the extensive deregulation of EU genetic engineering legislation for products from new genetic engineering (NGT) processes not only jeopardises the successful "Non-GMO" and "Organic" sectors across Europe, but also the freedom of choice for European farmers, processors and consumers. Numerous surveys confirm that the absence of GMOs is at the very top of the consumers' list of expectations for quality products. ENGA

 

 

István Nagy, Hungary’s minister of agriculture and current chair of the EU’s Agriculture and Fisheries Council, will deliver the opening remarks at the international Non-GMO summit (see above), which this year will focus on the political debate surrounding new genomic techniques (NGTs). The event’s organisers confirmed that Nagy represents the EU Council Presidency at the event – a provocative choice given the sharp divisions among member states over gene-edited plants. They, however, added that he would speak as a “national minister”, especially due to the Council’s lack of consensus on the new NGT regulation. Euractiv

 

 

A type of herbicide-tolerant GM wheat developed by Argentina’s Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp. can be cultivated without restrictions in the United States, the US Department of Agriculture said. Bioceres must still complete additional steps, including field trials, that will take years before it can commercialise HB4 wheat, modified to tolerate drought, industry group US Wheat Associates said. The Globe and Mail

 

 

GMO (HB4) wheat is advertised as drought-resistant, which suggests it'll perform better than non-GMO varieties under water stress. But, in fact, research shows exactly the opposite: non-GMO varieties produce more in drought conditions — on average 17% more! And when Monsanto tried to commercialise GMO wheat, international buyers threatened to boycott US wheat if the product was introduced to the marketplace. In Argentina, where HB4 is being grown, Argentina’s main farmer associations as well as grains exchanges and storage and flour chambers have expressed their opposition to the approval of the GMO wheat. GMWatch; no main link in header

 

 

A £38 million “virtual” centre that will study whether alternative protein sources such as lab-grown meat, plant proteins and insects could become part of the UK diet is due to be launched in the UK. The National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (Napic) has received £15 million in funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Napic is a collaboration between researchers at the University of Leeds, the James Hutton Institute, Imperial College London and the University of Sheffield. The centre, which will run for five years, is also expected to receive £23 million from stakeholders including businesses and other academic partners. Commenting on the development, Prof Guy Poppy, deputy executive chairman of the Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and food sector champion for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), said the “food we currently eat and the way we produce it is doing terrible damage to our planet and health”. He said the Napic investment will help position the UK “as a leader in the global alternative proteins market, ready to meet both current and future challenges”. [GMW: Poppy is also an avid GMO promoter and is chief scientific advisor to the UK Food Standards Agency, which has been busy helping the Westminster government remove safety checks and labelling from new GMOs. "Alternative proteins" such as casein or whey protein are often made from GM microbes.] Enfield Independent

 

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