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Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 22:06:45 +0100
To: info@natural-law.ca
From: Richard Wolfson <rwolfson@concentric.net>
Subject: GE News
AHP merger /AHP merger US Grains urges email on Japan biotech label plan
WASHINGTON, Sept 18 (Reuters) - A leading U.S. grain export group urged
U.S. farmers to take to the Internet in opposition to a biotechnology
labeling plan proposed by the Japan's agriculture ministry. Japan has
long been the leading market for U.S. corn. It is also the largest
overall export market for U.S. farm goods. We need to send word that the
proposal would create a significant trade obstacle and is inconsistent
with Japan's international trade obligations," said Jennifer Morrill, a
spokeswoman for the U.S. Grains Council, said.
........................
Thanks to Ronnie Cummins <alliance@mr.net> for forwarding this:
Monsanto's GM Soyabean hit by worst ever outbreak of fungus
Wed, 9 Sep 1998
Farmers see outbreak of soybean disease
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- A soil-borne fungus is threatening soybean crops in
parts of central and northern Missouri, a problem some farm experts are
linking to a sought-after genetically altered soybean.
The state's worst-ever outbreak of Sudden Death Syndrome is afflicting
soybean crops and could affect production levels, officials said.
``It's showing up much earlier, and that's when you get severe yield
loss,'' said George Smith, director of the University of Missouri's
Integrated Pest Management Program. ``For some guys the yield impacts will
not be pleasant.''
Heavy rains during the spring and summer fed the syndrome, known
scientifically as Fusarium solani.
But another factor in the outbreak was the enormous demand for
genetically-altered soybeans that are resistant to Monsanto's Roundup
herbicide, agriculturists say.
Though Roundup-resistant beans aren't necessarily more susceptible to
Sudden Death Syndrome than other beans, high demand for them meant farmers
weren't as careful in choosing varieties that were disease-resistant.
Roundup-resistant beans make up 80 to 90 percent of the soybeans planted
in Boone County this year, said Dave Schlemeyer, area sales manager of
field crops with MFA. Other observers say the percentage is lower, but
most agree that the Roundup beans are extremely popular.
``That's all they wanted because they had such tremendous weed control
with Roundup,'' Schlemeyer said. ``You put one quart of Roundup on and
clean up the fields.''
But that advantage may have blinded some farmers to practical considerations.
Brad Stubbs, a Columbia soybean farmer, said he could face a 50 percent
yield reduction in some of his fields.
``In a rush to get these genetically-altered soybeans out, I think there
was a rush to get some variations on the market that didn't really have
good disease resistance,'' Stubbs said.
Monsanto, based in St. Louis, produces both Roundup and the technology to
make soybean plants resistant to the herbicide.
Jerry Flint, soybean technical manager at Monsanto, said farmers aren't
necessarily making bad decisions but factors such as the weather make it
hard to predict what characteristics to select.
_________________________________________________________
Richard Wolfson, PhD
Consumer Right to Know Campaign,
for Mandatory Labelling and Long-term
Testing of all Genetically Engineered Foods,
500 Wilbrod Street
Ottawa, ON Canada K1N 6N2
tel. 613-565-8517 fax. 613-565-1596
email: rwolfson@concentric.net
Our website, http://www.natural-law.ca/genetic/geindex.html
contains more information on genetic engineering as well as
previous genetic engineering news items
Subscription fee to genetic engineering news is $35 for 12 months
See website for details.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
--Dan in Sunny Puerto Rico--
dan.worley@mindless.com
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