The African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) is extremely alarmed to learn that three genetically modified maize varieties developed by Corteva (new name of the Dow-DuPont merged entity) to withstand the application of the dangerous 2,4-D herbicide have been approved for general release by the Executive Council: GMO Act. This poses a grave threat to the health of food consumers, … [Read more...]
Below the belt & breadline: SA’s inequitable, GM contaminated bread industry
The African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) has today brought into sharp focus the white bread industry in South Africa with the release of its new report ‘GM Contamination, Cartels and Collusion in South Africa’s Bread Industry.’ The report shows that the white bread tested contains high levels of Monsanto’s genetically modified (GM) soya and that most companies are unashamedly … [Read more...]
Monsanto protests scheduled in 36 countries
An international protest planned for this weekend against biotechnology company Monsanto is slated to span six continents and include demonstrations in dozens of countries around the globe. Amid growing concerns over St. Louis, Missouri-based Monsanto and the impact the company is having on agriculture, activists have planned rallies for later this month in 36 … [Read more...]
New phone app promotes healthy shopping
One of the biggest obstacles holding people back from eating healthy is easy access to resourceful information about chemicals in foods, natural remedies and supplements or new choices to make right at the store. If only technology made something for your phone, so you could scan every product's barcode and get a quick, reliable summary of what you're really getting. For … [Read more...]
Cooking the books on GM
The Africa Centre for Biosafety (ACB) has dismissed the findings of the biotechnology industry's flagship annual report, published by the GM industry funded 'NGO', the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), as mischievous and erroneous. According to the report, South Africa's GM crop area increased by a record 26% or 600,000 hectares … [Read more...]
New GMO labeling bill introduced by Maryland legislator
Last week, Senator Joe Bolkcom introduced a bill, Senate File (SF) 194, that would require labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods in Iowa. The legislation was drafted with the support of consumer advocacy group Food & Water Watch and is strongly supported by many national and local organizations and individuals including food cooperatives, organic farmers, … [Read more...]
Stop the Frankenfish attack
The US is about to treat the world to the first genetically modified meat: a mutant salmon that could wipe out wild salmon populations and threaten human health - but we can stop it now before our plates are filled with suspicious Frankenfish. The new fake salmon grows twice as fast as real salmon, and not even scientists know its long-term health effects. Yet it’s about to … [Read more...]
Are We About to Hit Peak Fertilizer?
Everyone knows about how the advent of artificial fertilizers and pest controls altered the face of agriculture around the world during the Green Revolution more than half a century ago. And while few people are fully ignorant of the damage done to the environment through the use of these synthetic pesticides (and fertilizers), not many people have given much any thought to … [Read more...]
Seed saving is life insurance
The Biodynamic Agricultural Association of Southern Africa responded to a request from the African Centre for Biosafety and invited all members and friends to contribute to an Open Letter from the Organic Movement to the Minister of Agriculture regarding GMO’s. Input, feedback and concerns were received from teachers and farmers, activists and parents. A final letter was … [Read more...]
One round won for right to know what you’re eating
Consumers in South Africa have won a hard-earned victory with regard to the labelling of genetically modified (GM) foods. Yesterday, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) published draft amendments to the regulations governing the labelling of GM food. According to the draft amendments, all locally produced and imported food containing 5% or more GM ingredients or … [Read more...]
Calls for GM maize ban after shocking cancer study
Explosive results from a new French study conducted on the long-term health impacts of genetically modified (GM) foods published in the peer reviewed journal 'Food and Toxicology' last week, suggest that consumers in South Africa face a very serious threat from one of their staple foods. The results have the biotechnology industry spin doctors, and those of Monsanto in … [Read more...]
Increasing SA’s food security
Later this month, the Institute for International Research will present its inaugural Food Security Summit, dedicated to tackling the threats and nature of food security in Southern Africa. The conference, taking place at the Wanderers Club in Joburg from 18 - 22 June, will draw analysis and debate from a wide range of topics presented by various different parties and … [Read more...]
Seeds Are Key to GMO-Free Future
A single food seed can be as tiny as a grain of sand. Yet many say the fate of the entire organic industry rests upon our efforts to protect the integrity of these small, but vital agricultural inputs. “Seed is the first resource in our food production chain, so its integrity is vital to the success of organic farmers. Yet little has been done to address the issue of genetic … [Read more...]
