ETHIOPIA: AFSA meets in Ethiopia to oppose GM products

AFSA meets in Ethiopia to oppose GM products

The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) will next week meet in Ethiopia to discuss strategies for resistance against genetically modified (GM) seeds.

AFSA is a Pan African platform comprising networks and farmer organisations working in Africa including the African Biodiversity network, Coalition for the Protection of African Genetic Heritage, Comparing and Supporting Endogenous Development Africa, Friends of the Earth- Africa, Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee and Participatory Ecological Land Use Management Association.
The rest are Eastern and Southern African Small Scale Farmers Forum, La Via Campesina Africa, World Neighbours, Network of Farmers' and Agricultural Producers' Organisations of West Africa, Community Knowledge Systems, Plate forme Sous Régionale des Organisations Paysannes d'Afrique Centrale and African Centre for Biosafety.
The meeting will also oppose Bill Gate’s Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the new G8 Alliance for food security.
A statement issued by AFSA in Accra and copied to Ghana News Agency identified the global agricultural initiatives as part of an agenda to ‘corporatise’ and profit from food production in Africa, rather than meet the needs of the continent and farmers. 
World-renowned campaigner against GM seeds, Dr Vandana Shiva will join the meeting.
The workshop, entitled “Strategy building workshop on Food sovereignty and its challenges including AGRA, GMOs, Seed laws and G8 New Alliance” will be held in Addis Ababa from August 12 – August 16.
It is being organised by the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, a pan African network established in 2009 to represent the voices of small farmers and indigenous groups in relation to rights to local and equitable food. 
“Now more than ever we are finding the livelihoods of the continent’s small-scale farmers increasingly under threat, often in the name of development and poverty alleviation.
“The latest of these is “New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition”, a private sector investment initiative launched by the G8 in May 2012.
“Its objective is to open up African agriculture to multinational agribusiness companies by means of national ‘cooperation frameworks’ between African governments, donors and private sector investors, with no reference to the needs or wishes of African farmers.
“It is strongly linked to other private sector initiatives, such as the corporate 'Grow Africa Partnership' and the Bill Gates' Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. It is implemented in a variety of ways, including...the Comprehensive African Agriculture Programme , and a new wave of initiatives looking to gain intellectual property rights over the continent’s crops and seed varieties,” says AFSA coordinator Million Belay.
“Never before has there been a more coordinated and better funded attempt to transform Africa's peasant based agriculture into a commercial enterprise. These initiatives are taking place without any consultation with farmers in Africa.
“Indeed, they pointedly ignore the millions of smallholder farmers in Africa who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, with the vast majority, using farm-saved seed to ensure their food security.
“The combined effect of these initiatives is to hand over Africa’s food and seed sovereignty to foreign corporations, reducing the availability of local plant varieties, weakening Africa’s rich biodiversity, and denying millions of farmers the right to breed and share crops needed to feed their families,” Bern Guri, Chair of AFSA said.
The workshop was coordinated as an urgent response to identify and develop strategies from the side of African farmers and civil society organisations to counter the agenda and promote strategies based on agro-ecological and food sovereignty principles.
AFSA members represent small holder farmers, pastoralists, hunter/gatherers, indigenous peoples, citizens and environmentalists from Africa who possess a strong voice that shapes policy on the continent in the area of community rights, family farming, promotion of traditional knowledge and knowledge systems, the environment and natural resource management, thus, providing a forum to analyse, discuss issues, challenge policies and identify ways forward. GNA

INDIA: Farmers demand hoisting of non-Bt cotton flag on Independence Day

Farmers demand hoisting of non-Bt cotton flag on Independence Day

Hundreds of farmers and members of the GM free coalition symbolically gifted an Indian flag made of organic cotton to the prime minister on Thursday. The flag, they said is a symbol of their resistance to Bt cotton, a genetically modified variety that has taken over India's cotton production. They urged the PM to unfurl the organic cotton flag instead of a Btcotton flag this Independence Day.

The unique protest was primarily against the controversial Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) bill, which has a number of clauses that may "facilitate fast track entry of GMOs in agriculture" according to activists. Right to Information (RTI) activists are also opposing the bill has a clause for 'confidential commercial information' that cannot be revealed even under RTI.

The gathering on Thursday at Parliament Street included groups from Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, National Federation of Indian Women, Right to Food campaign, Greenpeace India. It also saw members of political parties like BJP, Congress, CPIM, CPI, Janata Dal, BSP, Biju Janata Dal, Telegu Desam Party, DMK and others.

"Over 93% of Indian cotton seed has the proprietary technology of an American MNC. We request the PM to hoist an organic, Indian cotton flag because it will be symbolic of seed sovereignty," said Pankaj Bhushan, co-convener of GM-Free India. The activists said that the BRAI bill is "problematic" because it proposes to set up a centralized single window clearance system for GM and biotech crops; it takes away decision making powers of the state governments on open field trials.

"The final report of the Technical Expert Committee (TEC) of Supreme Court has stated that open air field trials of GM crops have to be stopped and effort to introduce Bt in food crops is not advisable. It has many other recommendations that need to be considered. Why is the government pushing the BRAI bill and ignoring such reports?" asked Kavitha Kuruganti of Aliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA). TIMES

INDIA: Citizens protest against GMOs, Monsanto and BRAI Bill

Citizens protest against GMOs, Monsanto and BRAI Bill

Citizens across 20 Indian states came at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Thursday for a day-long sit-in and marched towards the Parliament demanding immediate withdrawal of Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill,2013.

An Indian flag made out of organic fabric, which does not have Monsanto’s cotton seed used in its production was the centre of focus of this event. 

This flag was later gifted by the congregation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging him to unfurl this flag on Aug 15.

The gathering saw senior political leaders from various political parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) , Janata Dal(United), Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Telugu Desam Party (TDP) addressed the gathering and pledged support on this people's struggle to keep their food and farming free from Genetically Modified (GM) crops and Multinational seed corporations and promised to oppose the BRAI Bill in the Parliament.

Political parties expressed their opposition to corporate control of agriculture. 

Communist Party of India (CPI) National Secretary D Raja said, “Indian agriculture is in deep crisis because the government is opening up agriculture for MNCs like Monsanto. The communist party of India has been fighting for Indian agriculture, which is important component of our economy. The government is allying with MNCs and if this continues, food security can’t be achieved in this country.” 

BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said, “Seed sovereignty is important to this country. In my view, the negotiations on agriculture are more dangerous than the nuclear negotiations. The foreign pesticides, fertilisers have ruined our soil and cattle. Farmers’ land belongs to them and is not for corporate control."

"Indian farmers should go back to the traditional ways of farming like using organic fertilisers and planting indigenous seed varieties," he said.

The protest at Parliament Street occured at a time when the Union government has introduced the BRAI Bill, 2013 in Parliament in the Budget session. 

The Bill has been facing strong opposition both inside and outside the Parliament as it would facilitate the fast track entry of GMOs into our agriculture and environment.

“The BRAI Bill is India's Monsanto Protection and Promotion Act, it will give a free hand to Monsanto and other Biotech giants to control our food security and endanger small farmer livelihoods. In order to protect our seed sovereignty it is important that notorious corporations like Monsanto along with their controversial GM technology Quit India,” said Neha Saigal, campaigner, sustainable agriculture Greenpeace India.

The BRAI Bill proposes to set up a centralised single window clearance system which is designed to lower the bar for GM crop approvals with no independent long-term safety assessments or need assessment of a particular GM product. 

Besides this, it takes away the decision-making power of state governments on open field trials in their respective states. 

The Bill has also faced flak from RTI groups as it proposes to override the RTI Act.

The Bill is now under review of the Parliamentary Standing committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forest.

“BRAI is not being opposed only by farmers or civil society, it has faced stringent opposition from most political parties; except NCP and a section within the Congress party, all other political formations are against the BRAI Bill," said Rajesh Krishnan, Co-Convenor of the Coalition for a GM-Free India.

"This is being forced upon us with its clauses restricting access to information, curtailing power of the states, circumscribing people’s right to go to court and other objectionable provisions which are clearly beneficial only for the biotech industry,” Krishnan said.

Leaders from various states and other social movements like the Right to Food campaign, Mazdoor, Kisan Shakti Sanghatan, National Federation of Indian Women, Greenpeace India were also present at the dharna. IBNS

INDIA: You have quit Europe, now quit India, farmers tell Monsanto

You have quit Europe, now quit India, farmers tell Monsanto

The HinduFarmers protest against Monsanto pesticides at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Photo: Monica Tiwari.

“Cotton and the cloth made from indigenous cotton are a symbol of our freedom struggle”

Close on the heels of transnational seed company Monsanto abandoning its programme for development of genetically modified (GM) crops in Europe last month, there are growing calls for the company to do the same in India.

Its decision to withdraw all applications to grow GMO crops in Europe came in the face of strong opposition to the technology that was hurting its commercial interests.

“Monsanto, Quit India” and “Centre, reject Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Bill” were the demands raised by thousands of farmers and activists from across 20 States at a demonstration here on the eve of “Quit India” movement.

If the Congress respected Mahatma Gandhi, it would ask Monsanto to quit India, D. Raja of the CPI told the gathering.

A delegation of farmers and activists of the Coalition for GM-Free India, who could not get to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, presented Minister of State in the PMO V. Narayanasamy a national flag made up of non-GM cotton for Dr. Singh to unfurl at the Red Fort on Independence Day.

“Cotton and the cloth made from indigenous cotton are a symbol of our freedom struggle,” said Kavita Kuruganti of Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture. “Today, 93 per cent of the country’s cotton seed is controlled by Monsanto. It is now in the hands of the Prime Minister to protect our seed sovereignty as well as our food, farms and freedom.”

A report of the Supreme Court-appointed Technical Experts Committee on GMOs recently recommended that there should not be any field trials of GM crops until gaps in the regulatory system are addressed. The panel suggested early risk assessment and emphasised need for chronic and trans-generational toxicity testing of GM products on humans, livestock, environment and biodiversity.

Minister for Environment and Forests Jayanthi Natarajan, too, has expressed concern at field-testing of GM crops and has put on hold approvals given by the regulatory authority under her Ministry in view of a public interest litigation petition in the Supreme Court.

Cutting across party lines, Members of Parliament joined the sit-in to express their solidarity with the coalition of about 250 civil society and farmers groups. BJP’s Murli Manohar Joshi and Dharmendar Pradhan (members of the Agriculture Standing Committee); DMK MPs, including T.K.S. Elangovan, T.M. Selvaganapathi, K.P. Ramalingam, A.K.S. Vijayan and S. Thangavelu; and MDMK’s A. Ganesamurthi expressed their support and assured farmers that they would take up the issue in Parliament.

Chairman of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and CPI(M) leader Basudeb Acharia said the panel had recommended that the BRAI Bill that provided for single-window clearance to GM technology should not be tabled in Parliament. The panel had opposed field trials of GM crops until a strong, revamped, multidisciplinary regulatory system was in place. M.B. Rajesh of the CPI(M) said the party backed the protestors’ demands. THE HINDU

INDIA: ACTIVISTS JOIN PROTEST AGAINST GM CROPS IN DELHI

INDIA

Gujarat activists join protest against Genetically Modified crops in Delhi

Several activists from Gujarat joined the protest against the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill 2013 organised at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Thursday.   

Thousands of citizens from 20 states of the country came together at Jantar Mantar for a day-long sit-in and marched towards the Parliament to demand that companies dealing in genetically modified (GM) crops and Monsanto quit India. 

They have also demanded withdrawal of the BRAI Bill, 2013.   

The activists also gifted an Indian flag made out of organic fabric, which does not have Monsanto’s cotton seed used in its production, to the Prime Minister of India, urging him to unfurl this non-Monsanto, non-Bt cotton flag on August 15.   

Earlier, Badri Joshi, secretary of the Gujarat Khedut Samaj, who headed a team from Bharuch, termed the BRAI as a bill aimed to protect the interest of companies like Monsanto. 

He had alleged that GM crops were a means to enslave independent India’s farmers. “It will make them permanently dependent on companies dealing in GM crops,” he alleged. 

Manoj Solanki, another activist from the state, said that GM crops had implications on health, environment and independence of the country. 

The protest at the Parliament Street comes at a time when the union government introduced the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill, 2013 in Parliament in the last (budget) session. 

This Bill has been facing strong opposition inside and outside the parliament as it would facilitate the fast track entry of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into agriculture and environment. 

The bill proposes to set up a centralised single window clearance system, which is designed to lower the bar for GM crop approvals with no independent long-term safety assessments or need assessment of a particular GM product.

The bill has also received flak from Right to Information (RTI) groups as it proposes to override the RTI Act. The bill is now under the review of the parliamentary standing committee. DNA

GMO Labeling Question Still Alive

MoveOn members to host GMO Labeling events; states are moving on labeling proposals

Members of advocacy organization MoveOn Friday will host 35 events in 47 states to call for labeling of foods containing genetically modified organisms.

The nationwide campaign includes events that range from petition deliveries, non-GMO cookouts, rallies and "speak-outs." MoveOn said the events will be held in several states that have been receptive to GMO labeling in the past, such as Massachusetts,Vermont and California. The idea has also been considered in Hawaii, Washington and New Mexico.

GM OR NOT? Will food labels eventually say if a product is made with GM indgredients?

Though interest is seemingly high for GMO labeling, it still has several hurdles to cross before the first law requiring it actually takes effect.

Perhaps the closest is Connecticut, where on June 25, 2013, Gov. Dannel Malloy signed a law mandating GMO labeling even though four other states – one of which must share a border with Connecticut – have to approve a similar law before it can go into effect. An additional trigger to the bill's enforcement stipulates that the population of Northeastern states that pass GMO labeling legislation must be at least 20 million people.

Maine has passed similar legislation, while Vermont's senate has yet to consider legislation that passed through the House earlier this year. Last November, a ballot initiative in California to require labeling narrowly failed.

But there are federal considerations, too. Even if states mandate labeling, the Food and Drug Administration, which oversees all food labeling, does not specifically require GM labeling in most situations.

In an industry guidance document, the agency notes, "FDA has no basis for concluding that bioengineered foods differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way, or that, as a class, foods developed by the new techniques present any different or greater safety concern than foods developed by traditional plant breeding."

A handful of lawmakers are working to change that stance with legislation to amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to require that genetically engineered food, and foods that contain GE ingredients to be labeled accordingly.

The measure, which was introduced by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore.in April, would direct the FDA to write new labeling standards.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., proposed a similar amendment to the farm bill that would make it legal for states to require GM labeling.

Meanwhile, GM labeling advocates such as the MoveOn members will continue to promote labeling through a variety of events, including what a taste test where passersby are asked to decide "which ear of corn contains GMOs spliced with BT Toxin, and which came from a local, organic farm," a statement from the group said. FARMFUTURES

Politicians says GM crops can save Scottish farming industry

Politicians says GM crops can save Scottish farming industry

A politician has backed controversial calls for genetically modified crops to be used to feed people in Scotland.

Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has reiterated his support for the use of GM crops and believes that unpredictable UK weather patterns may necessitate the accelerated use of GM crops.

The Conservative has warned that extreme weather patterns and a refusal to use GM crops could result in Scottish farmers becoming globally uncompetitive.

Wet summers in 2011 and 2012 resulted in large swathes of tomato and potato crops being ruined due to diseases induced by the soggy conditions. The summer of 2013 has been markedly better, but Mr Fraser believes the unpredictability of Scottish weather may one day cause terminal damage to the industry.

The European Union has been deadlocked on the issue of GM crops for a number of years. Only two crops have been approved for commercial growing - another seven are awaiting the green light.

Mr Fraser said: “With scientists predicting more extreme weather patterns over the next ten years, farmers will need to use all available tools to combat these problems, and in my opinion, in some instances, that will mean using GM crops.“Farmers have already hinted that they would welcome GM solutions to wet weather induced potato and tomato blight. “Although weather this summer has been particularly good, we need only look at the last two summers to see the effects of inclement weather on the farming industry.

“Soft fruit farmers within my own region have experienced two consecutive difficult seasons, and although soft fruit is currently not on the radar for GM crops, its development could give the industry the stability it craves. GM crops also offer solutions to global food shortages. However, a sustained PR exercise will be required to convince sceptics.” 

However Dr Richard Dixon, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said introducing GM crops would destroy Scotland’s reputation as a quality food producer. “I think this is exactly the wrong thing for Scotland to do,” he told the Observer.

“Scotland is known as a place which produces quality food and produce: from whisky, to meat and a whole range of other produce. “At some point there is going to be a scandal about GM crops, and it will be the last thing Scotland wants to be associated with.” Stirling Observer