WEEKLY WATCH number 217
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from Claire Robinson, WEEKLY WATCH editor
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Dear all:

The US government is allowing pharma rice to be planted in Kansas, and the Victorian state government in Australia is considering lifting its GM moratorium. Coming at a time when the US has suffered major damage to its rice industry from GM trial contamination, these moves are insane.

As the Group Chairman of USA Rice Producers put it, "The US rice industry is still reeling from the release of Bayer CropScience's genetically engineered LibertyLink rice into US Delta-region rice fields. We are living with the effect of unintended events and consequences. This decision will not generate any comfort among US commercial rice growers." (THE AMERICAS)

Julie Newman of Australia's Network of Concerned Farmers was equally blunt, "If politicians want Australian farmers to follow in the footsteps of US and Canadian farmers who have faced additional costs, intimidating contracts and plummeting market acceptance of GM food crops, they should also be prepared to match the massive subsidies given to growers of GM food crops." (AUSTRALASIA)

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

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CONTENTS
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THE AMERICAS
ASIA
AUSTRALASIA
NEW RESEARCH
BOOK REVIEW
EUROPE
AFRICA
LOBBYWATCH
BIOFUELS
QUOTES OF THE WEEK

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THE AMERICAS
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+ RICE TO PRODUCE HUMAN PROTEINS APPROVED IN U.S.
The US government has given approval for Ventria Bioscience to plant GM rice engineered to produce human proteins in Kansas. Ventria can now grow up to 3,200 acres of GM rice in Geary County, Kansas, to produce proteins intended to be used in medicine to treat diarrhea.

USA Rice Producers' Group Chairman Paul Combs said, "The US rice industry is still reeling from the release of Bayer CropScience's genetically engineered LibertyLink rice into US Delta-region rice fields. We are living with the effect of unintended events and consequences. This decision will not generate any comfort among US commercial rice growers."

APHIS received more than 20,000 comments on Ventria's application, with only 29 supporting the planting of the GM rice in Kansas.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7887

Center for Food Safety press release
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7889

+ U.S. STATES INTRODUCE NUMEROUS BILLS TO REGULATE GM FOODS
US state capitols are filled with bills aimed at protecting small family farming systems and consumers from GM foods. Four states are carrying bills making the agbiotech industry liable in the event that another contamination occurs. Three states are hearing bills calling for a moratorium on food crops genetically engineered to produce pharmaceuticals. Illinois and Tennessee are calling for labeling of foods derived from genetically engineered crops. Five states, California, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, and South Dakota, are calling for notification systems in which GM foods become a part of the public record.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7870

+ WAMBUGU HEADS FOR UC BERKELEY
Dr Florence Wambugu is scheduled to speak at UC Berkeley the morning of May 20, 2007, as the Commencement Speaker during the College of Natural Resources Commencement Program (graduation ceremony). Wambugu is an African biotechnology expert whose career and research projects are funded by Monsanto, Dow, Novartis, AgrEvo, Bayer, BBSRC, Cargill, Pioneer, Syngenta. These companies also provide millions to UC Berkeley for research.

The Indybay article that announces her visit comments, "Extensive analysis of published reports shows Dr Florence Wambugu's reinvention of the future via genetic engineering exists only at the level of myth. Unfortunately, the Wambugu myth is helping to inhibit change for some of the world's poorest farmers."

Wambugu's whoppers:
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7888

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ASIA
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+ GM RICE SCANDAL HELPS THAI RICE EXPORTS SURGE NEARLY 20%
Natural calamities elsewhere in Asia and the GM scandal rice in the US and Australia could push Thailand's rice exports up to 8.8 million tons this year, up from 7.4 million tons in 2006.

Rice production in the US and Australia is decreasing this year due to discoveries of GM strains of the grain there, resulting in import bans in some markets such as Europe.

http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7872

+ INDIA'S HEALTH MINISTER UNHAPPY ABOUT GM REGULATION
India's health minister feels stricter norms should be in place before GM foods can be consumed. "I have expressed my concern to the ministry of environment and the science and tech ministry as well. Before they give a go ahead for field trials they have to ensure there is more information available, otherwise there is a serious health concern," said health minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7869

+ FUTURE OF BIOTECH IN INDIA - IMPORTAN