from Claire Robinson, WEEKLY WATCH editor
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Dear all:

This week we have a shocking report on an investigation into the deaths in sheep that grazed in Bt cotton fields in India (BT COTTON DEATHS). The investigation, typically, was carried out not by the Indian government, but by India's formidable NGOs and independent scientists.

With willful blindness, governments around the world are ignoring the evidence of harm and persisting with pushing new GM foods and crops onto the market (EUROPE, AUSTRALASIA, FOOD SAFETY).

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

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CONTENTS
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BT COTTON DEATHS
FOOD SAFETY
ASIA
EUROPE
THE AMERICAS
AUSTRALASIA
VIDEO ONLINE
NANOTECHNOLOGY

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BT COTTON DEATHS
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+ INDIA: 1600 SHEEP DIE AFTER GRAZING IN BT COTTON FIELD
Sixteen hundred sheep died in the Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh after grazing in fields from which Bt cotton had been harvested. A survey conducted by a seven-member team of Centre for Sustainable agriculture working in Bt cotton issues found that the sheep started dying after continuously grazing on the leaves and pods of Bt cotton plant residues in the fields for seven days.

The symptoms did not correlate to any of the diseases occurring during the season, the study said. The team urged the government to carry out an exhaustive study of the impact of Bt toxin on livestock.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=6499

+ REPORT ON DEATHS OF SHEEP AFTER GRAZING IN BT COTTON FIELDS
Following the high number of deaths in sheep that grazed in Bt cotton fields in Andhra Pradesh, India, a fact-finding team has compiled an excellent report, available at
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=6494

As usual, the Indian government has done nothing about this scandal, and the fact-finding team was organized by AP Shepherds Union. The team included a veterinary scientist and two scientists from the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture.

EXCERPT:
The mortality started to occur within a week of continuously grazing on Bt cotton crops-residue. The sheep grazed on the leaves (tender leaves) and pods of the Bt cotton plant residue in the fields. Mr J. Parmesh (20) suffered diarrhoea after consuming the affected sheep's meat.

The major symptoms as reported by the shepherds were:

1. Sheep became dull/depressed after 2-3 days post grazing 2. Cough with nasal discharge 3. Reddish and erosive lesions in the mouth 4. Bloat 5. Blackish diarrhoea 6. Sometimes red coloured urine 7. Death within 5-7 days of grazing on the Bt cotton fields.

Age affected: Within the flock the young lambs aged 3-4 months, as also the adults in the age group of 1.5-2 years were affected. ...

Some shepherds had also conducted their own post-mortems on the dead sheep (as is often the practice of shepherds in Andhra Pradesh). They observed black patches in the intestine and enlarged bile duct and black patches on the liver. The shepherds said that the Assistant Director, Animal Health Centre, Warangal, told them that these deaths appeared to be due to grazing of Bt cotton fields as she has earlier seen such cases.

READ THE FULL REPORT.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=6494

Dr Maewan Ho comments on the story and points out that the Institute of Science in Society reported similar illnesses and deaths among villagers in the Philippines linked to exposure to Bt maize since 2003:
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=6505

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FOOD SAFETY
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+ GM FOOD ALERT AS MORE ILLNESSES LINKED TO BT CROPS
New data on illnesses caused by GM crops (see above) are a warning that applications for GM foods must be rejected by Foods Standards Austraila New Zealand Authority (FSANZ).

GE Free NZ is concerned that new GM food applications keep flooding in whilst the evidence of harm is being ignored. Right now applications are being made for GM lucerne and high-lysine soy for introduction as animal and human health foods.

Recent studies have found that ingestion of GM corn cause immune system reaction, diarrhoea and vomiting. Pollen from GM corn has caused severe allergic reactions in people living close to the fields. Workers picking GM cotton have suffered rashes and blisters, leaving black discolouration on the skin. Research by the Australian CSIRO on GM peas also revealed unexpected effects: food supposed to be harmless caused a severe lung reaction in mice.

The complex risks being ignored by authorities were also revealed by the recent test of a bio-pharmaceutical drug which lead to life threatening reactions in volunteers and caused organ shutdown. A previously healthy New Zealander lost his fingers and toes and remains in treatment months later.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=6499

+ ALARM BELLS OVER GM FOOD APPROVAL: PART ONE
In two excellent articles, two Canterbury University (New Zealand) scientists outline their concerns about GM foods.

The first is by Victoria Metcalf, geneticist and affiliate of the Centre for Integrated Research in Biosafet