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WEEKLY WATCH number 232 (2/11/2007)

WEEKLY WATCH number 232
from Claire Robinson, WEEKLY WATCH editor
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Dear all:

There's good news from Europe, as France confirms its ban on Monsanto's toxic GM maize, and Austria has yet again fought off attempts by the European Commission to force it to overturn its ban on GM crops - for now at least. And a big new research project is pointing so strongly to organic food being more nutritious that even the Murdoch-owned Sunday Times featured the story on its front page.

Don't miss our feature on the 'new eugenics' of GM-supporter and Nobel Laureate James Watson, confirming Ignacio Chapela's point that eugenics didn't die with Hitler.

And watch out for 2 important ACTIONS OF THE WEEK.

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

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CONTENTS
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AUSTRALASIA
THE AMERICAS
EUROPE
ASIA
FOOD SAFETY
ORGANICS
EUGENICS
ACTIONS OF THE WEEK

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AUSTRALASIA
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+ CLAIMS OF GM BENEFITS 'LUNATIC'
Not all politicians are a pushover for corporate lobbying. Kim Chance, the Western Australian Agriculture Minister, said in Parliament last week: '... I am aware of an article in The West Australian today that purported to represent the Prime Minister's position as being that we would all be happier and healthier if we were eating GM food. I think that was the gist of it. Do I think that the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Kevin Rudd, would have the same lunatic view of life? No.'
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8432

The Minister has also pointed out, 'We are heavily reliant on our export markets and yet the Prime Minister wants us to switch to GM foods that are rejected by discerning consumers worldwide. This will damage Australia's international reputation as a source of reliable, safe quality food.'
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8416

+ CONSUMERS AND FARMERS DON'T LIKE GMOs
The annual survey from Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne has revealed only 30% of Australians are comfortable with GM plants for food, while only 19% reported some level of comfort with GM animals for food. The new survey of public attitudes comes hard on the heel of a survey showing only 27.6% of farmers want to see GM grain crops introduced into Australia, with a clear majority of farmers opposed to their introduction.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8421

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THE AMERICAS
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+ CORPORATE MURDER: SYNGENTA MUST LEAVE BRAZIL
In the Brazilian state of Parana, Valmir Mota de Oliveira of Via Campesina, an international peasant organization, was shot twice in the chest at point blank range by armed gunmen on an experimental farm of Syngenta Seeds. The cold-blooded murder took place on October 21 after Via Campesina had occupied the site because of Syngenta's illegal development of GM seeds. Via Campesina and the Movement of the Landless Rural Workers (MST), the main Brazilian organization involved in Via Campesina's actions, are calling the murder an execution, declaring, 'Syngenta used the services of an armed militia.'

In July of this year, the Via Campesina was evicted from the site, re-locating to the MST's Olga Benario settlement, located next to Syngenta. The de-occupation occurred in conjunction with a peaceful march by the movements. Control of the property was returned to Syngenta, and it was then that the corporation hired the private NF Security company to guard the site. The owner of NF Security, Nerci Freitas, has been arrested and charged with homicide and formation of gangs. No one has claimed that the Via Campesina/MST occupants were armed. The organizations are demanding that Syngenta leave Brazil immediately, declaring, 'Syngenta Seeds should be held responsible for what occurred.'
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8431
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8433
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8402

+ LOBBYISTS TRY TO SPIN CORPORATE MURDER
The Hudson Institute's Dennis and Alex Avery and the Center for Consumer Freedom, both of which have Monsanto amongst their funders, have produced articles in which they try to distract readers from the murder of the Brazilian activist by the Syngenta militia (above) with ludicrous claims that activists resisting GM crops around the world are causing the deaths of 'millions'. They also quote Lord Taverne of Sense About Science to this effect. Sickening.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8442

More on the Center for Consumer Freedom
http://www.lobbywatch.org/profile1.asp?PrId=180

More on Dennis Avery
http://www.lobbywatch.org/profile1.asp?PrId=15

More on Alex Avery
http://www.lobbywatch.org/profile1.asp?PrId=14

More on Taverne
http://www.lobbywatch.org/profile1.asp?PrId=127

+ U.S.: MONSANTO LOBBYISTS PREPARE FOR POST-BUSH FUTURE
Presidential nomination candidate Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton recently held an event in Washington DC called 'Rural Americans for Hillary'. The event entailed a briefing by members of Congress and senior campaign staff. It was held in the offices of Troutman Sanders, a

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