from Claire Robinson, WEEKLY WATCH editor
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Dear all:

It's good to see the Australian states maintaining, and even intensifying, their robust stance against GM contamination (AUSTRALASIA). In India, meanwhile, problematic Bt cotton may have sprung a new disease and it's certainly suffering a battering from sucking pests (ASIA).

New research supports previous findings that Monsanto's Roundup herbicide can contribute to an increase in fungal disease, posing a serious food safety risk as well as a major economic threat to farmers (RESEARCH).

Please revisit our CAMPAIGN OF THE WEEK on Terminator, which last week reprinted an erroneous email address. Make sure your comments get to the right place!

Claire [email protected]
www.gmwatch.org / www.lobbywatch.org

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CONTENTS
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AUSTRALASIA
THE AMERICAS
ASIA
EUROPE
AFRICA
MIDDLE EAST
RESEARCH
COMPANY NEWS
LOBBYWATCH
MUST-SEE MOVIE
CAMPAIGN OF THE WEEK

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AUSTRALASIA
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+ NEW SOUTH WALES GM CROP BAN EXTENDED
NSW Agriculture Minister Ian Macdonald has extended the state ban on GM crops from 2006 to 2008, bringing NSW into line with other states.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=5719

+ CANOLA DESTROYED DUE TO GM CONTAMINATION
Millions of canola seedlings have been destroyed after one variety in a New South Wales crop trial was found to be GM. All the crops were supposed to be non-GM varieties in nine trials of canola varieties. Farmers are worried in case the contamination proves to be more widespread.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=5721

+ STRICT LIABILITY CALL FROM MINISTER
Western Australia's Agriculture Minister Kim Chance has called on GM companies to take greater care and responsibility for their product or face clean up costs.

"Regretfully, the GM companies appear unable to contain their product within the laboratory or within Office of Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) trial sites and they appear unable or unwilling to respect WA's moratorium or those in place in other Australian jurisdictions," Mr Chance said.

Mr Chance says without strict liability for adverse effects from GMOs - something the biotech industry steadfastly refuses to contemplate - the GM moratoria introduced by the Australian states will continue indefinitely.

"Until we have assurances that we have an adequate legal framework, no state jurisdiction is ever going to lift their moratorium."
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=5719
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=5722

+ GM CROP CONTAMINATION MAY SPARK REVIEW OF LIABILITY LAWS
The federal and state governments are being urged to consider national liability laws after canola crops in four states were contaminated with GM material. The Western Australian government said the legal framework needed an urgent review in the wake of the nation's biggest ever contamination cases.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=5722

+ NZ JUDGE RAISES CONCERN OVER PEPPER SPRAY
In a Rotorua court ruling in New Zealand, Judge James Weir raised serious concerns over police failure to follow their own procedures and their use of pepper spray (OC) at an anti-GM protest earlier this year.

Felicity Perry, Arthur Price and Simon Oosterman were acquitted of all charges relating to the protest against GM trees in Rotorua. They had pleaded not guilty to charges of obstruction and resisting arrest.

A Northland farmer who was present at the protest told GM Watch, "I had the unfortunate experience -during a peaceful protest - of witnessing large aggressive security guards/police seizing a very slight young woman, dragging her across the 'no go' line and nearly wrenching her arm off, getting her in a headlock. Peaceful protestors were grabbed, pepper sprayed, I was horrified and was thankful to not be injured in the fray. A number of farmers and foresters had travelled down to Rotorua to participate in a GE TREE conference/hui, due to our concerns about the risks of GE trees to the environment and forestry industry, but did not expect this sort of behavior from the police and security guards."
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=5717

+ MORE ON HORIZONTAL GENE TRANSFER FROM GM CATTLE STORY
Allegations have been made by GE Free NZ that AgResearch soil tests suggest 'horizontal gene transfer' may have occurred with soil micro-organisms in land where transgenic cattle have been grazing for 6 years. However, AgResearch has strongly contested this claim. Scientist Dr Jack Heinemann of the Institute of Gene Ecology, at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, gives his views on the evidence at
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=5724

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THE AMERICAS
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+ UNI OF MANITOBA BLOCKED VIDEO ON GM CROPS
Researchers at the University of Manitoba have accused the university of blocking the release of their video exploring the risks of GM crops while at the same time courting funds from biotech companies.

The university originally demanded assurances it would not be liable if anyone sued. One insurer demanded a $50,000 deductible for any lawsuits by Monsanto.

The university appears to have now dropped the lawsuit issue, but McLachlan said the university is still demanding control over where and when the video is shown, while at the same time requiring a disclaimer indicating the project has nothing to do with the university.
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