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WEEKLY WATCH number 204 (17/12/2006)

from Claire Robinson, WEEKLY WATCH editor
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Dear all:

India is blessed in having a Supreme Court in which the legality of GM releases can be examined. The court is currently preventing the release of GM mustard while evidence is gathered on whether the mustard contains illegal Terminator-style technology and also whether the mustard will, as some scientists say, release toxins into the environment (ASIA).

Unfortunately, the Germans have no such recourse, and it seems that the government "regulator" has permitted GM wheat to be trialled, but a legal expert says the permission contradicts German, European and International Law (EUROPE).

Watch out for an EU-related CAMPAIGN OF THE WEEK and if there is any possibility you might be able to help translate some GM Watch material into another language, please see GM WATCH TRANSLATED.

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

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CONTENTS
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THE AMERICAS
ASIA
AFRICA
EUROPE
LOBBYWATCH
CORPORATE TAKEOVER OF SCIENCE
CAMPAIGN OF THE WEEK - TAKE ACTION
GM WATCH TRANSLATED

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THE AMERICAS
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+ PATENT OFFICE FINDS "SUBSTANTIAL QUESTIONS" ON MONSANTO'S PATENTS
In response to requests filed earlier this year by the Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT), the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will undertake a review of four patents related to GM crops held by Monsanto that the agricultural giant is using to harass, intimidate, sue - and in some cases literally bankrupt - American farmers. In its Orders granting the four requested reexaminations, the USPTO found that PUBPAT had submitted new evidence that raised "substantial questions of patentability" for every single claim of each of the four patents.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7371

+ BRAZILIAN GOVERNOR MOVES TO EXPROPRIATE LAND FROM SYNGENTA - UPDATE
On November 9, Roberto Requiao, Governor of the state of Parana, dealt a blow to agribusiness when he signed a decree to expropriate an experimental test site owned by Syngenta. The decree was made in the public interest because Syngenta illegally planted 12 hectares of GM soybeans at the site. The decree is unprecedented in Brazil and Latin America (indeed, the world), as never before has any state or the federal government moved to expropriate land from an agribusiness corporation.

The action is representative of the growing sentiment among Latin American politicians to resist the increasing power of agribusiness corporations, and is evidence of the increasing organization and power of civil society in the region.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7379

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ASIA
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+ TAMIL NADU GOVT MAY BAN GM CROP TRIALS
"The government may issue a law banning GM crop trials. We hope the Centre [central Government of India] will support us," said Tamil Nadu agriculture minister Veerapandi Arumugam.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7388

+ SUPREME COURT CONCERNED OVER USE OF TERMINATOR IN GM MUSTARD
The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the possibility of the deployment of genetic use restrictive technologies (GURTs) by Delhi University in the development of its GM mustard crop.

The court asked the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) to assess and report as to whether GURTs had been deployed in the development of the GM mustard seeds and as to how they would manage the situation if GURTs were found to be deployed. The GEAC was told to report by mid-January, 2007, the date fixed for the next hearing.

India, being a signatory to the UN Convention of Biodiversity, is bound by the global treaty which discourages the use of terminator technology and GURTs. The country's Plant Varieties Protection & Farmers' Rights Act has also banned the registration and use of terminator seeds.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7394

+ GM MUSTARD COULD RELEASE TOXIC CHEMICALS
The Supreme Court has asked a committee to examine the impact of field trials being conducted by Delhi University on a GM mustard following expert opinion that such trials were toxic and harmful.

A three-judge bench has asked the GEAC to examine the matter after counsel Prashant Bhushan produced opinions given by three eminent professors saying the field trials on GM mustard would result in release of toxic elements in the environment. They said that even at low levels the release of these organisms could prove toxic to the environment and the main areas required fuller study prior to the exposure of millions of people and millions of animals to the toxins.

Bhushan questioned the credentials of the independent members appointed by the government to the GEAC (India's apex GM regulatory body) and alleged that one of them was a partner to the commercial interests of a GM seed firm.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7395

+ GM MILLET IN THE PIPELINE???
Rasi Seeds (RSPL) claims it is planning to launch a range of GM bajra or pearl millet hybrids in India for the 2007 season.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7393

+ MONOPOLIES COMMISSION ISSUES NOTICE TO MONSANTO
The Monopolies a

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