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Date:         Tue, 21 Sep 1999 20:00:37 -0700
Reply-To: Biotech Forum <[log in to unmask]>
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From: Hopwoods <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      news re: farmers' dilemma and trade issues
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posted by laurel:

U.S. FARMERS FEAR LEAN MARKET FOR GENETICALLY ALTERED CROPS  9/19/99
As the crucial fall harvest season approaches, many U.S. farmers and other
agricultural workers are in a near panic because of uncertainty over
genetically engineered crops.
http://www.cleveland.com:80/news/pdnews/metro/w19farm.ssf

NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION   (ACGA)
For Immediate Release
"CORN GROWERS FORECAST DRAMATIC  DROP IN GMO PLANTED CORN ACRES NEXT YEAR
ACGA Calls on Congress To Hold Oversight Hearings on Availability of
Traditional Seeds"
Concerns of farmers are mentioned in the press release as:  the loss of
export and domestic markets, questions over cross-pollination, testing and
certification, concern over grain elevator insistence on segregation and
premiums being offered for GMO-free crops, as driving corn grower demand
for alternatives to GMOs. In addition, grain elevators are expressing
apprehension over the costs to segregate because their facilities are not
equipped for separate dumping and drying. All these reponses are pushing
farmers away from GMOs, leading to the forecast of a dramatic reduction in
GMO-planted acres of corn. There is growing demand for traditional seed and
a severe shortage could be forthcoming.
Therefore, the ACGA is recommending that farmers order their GMO-free seed
as soon as possible to guarantee their availability.

GLOBAL GM FOOD TALKS END WITH NO DEAL
September 20, 1999    by Julia Ferguson
VIENNA-- According to this story, global talks on regulating the
multi-billion-dollar trade in genetically altered foods and crops ended
without resolution.

THE LANCET  9/18/99
New European Commissioner for food safety stamps his authority
According to this article, people no longer trust guarantees of governments
or scientists about food
safety.  The new European Commissioner has pledged to be a champion of
citizens' interests in health,
safety, and consumer affairs. According to the article, Byrne (the new
commissioner) said that he backed new measures on food labelling.  He
called for the gradual phasing out of the remaining antibiotic growth
promoters and plans to eliminate phthalates from children's toys because of
the associated health risks.  When asked about bovine somatotrophin (r-BGH)
Byrne said there was "plenty of evidence" to justify an EU ban.

AgBiotechNet   Sept 15 1999
According to this article, Jacques Chirac, President of France,  stated
that France and the EU will oppose the sale of genetically modified foods
at the WTO.   Chirac also stated that one way of resolving the safety
dispute is to create an impartial scientific body within the United Nations
to assess the risks of GMOs and that as long as any doubts remained,
countries should be allowed to ban the import of contested foods.

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