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Seed E-News
July 28th, 2003
USDA Grants Protection to 28 New Plant Varieties
On July 16, the US Department of Agriculture issued certificates
of protection to developers of 28 new varieties of seed-reproduced
and tuber-propagated plants including cotton, pea, soybean and wheat.
Issued under the Plant Variety Protection Act, the certificates
require that the varieties be new, distinct, uniform and stable.
The owners will have the exclusive right to reproduce, sell, import
and export the products in the US for the duration of the protection.
More information can be found on the USDA web site by following
this link New
Varieties Protection.
UK Panel publishes review of GM science
On July 21, a major British scientific study concluded that there
was no scientific case against GM crops and their products. Although
not giving blanket approval, the GM Science Review Panel concluded
that, worldwide, there have been no ill effects reported from the
consumption of GM crops by humans and animals over 7 years. The
Panel also concluded that GM crops are very unlikely to invade the
countryside and become problematic plants. The Panel will reconvene
in the Fall to take account of comments on this report and any new
scientific developments. The full report is available at www.gmsciencedebate.org.uk
and comments can be made there.
EU backs farmers who want to grow GMO crops
In Brussels on July 23, the European Commission said that local
or national governments cannot ban farmers from planting genetically
modified crops. The EC issued the guidelines part of a drive to
end a 5-year ban on GMO crops that is being challenged by the US
spelling out how GM crops can be grown alongside non-GM crops in
the EU. At a news conference, the European Farm Commissioner, Franz
Fischler said, It is not possible for regions or national governments
to introduce GMO-free zones. Although farmers cannot be prohibited
from planting GMO crops which would violate EU law giving farmers
the freedom to choose, Fischler said that groups of farmers were
free to get together and decide against planting GMO crops. More
information can be found on the EU web site by following this link
EU
backs GMO Farmers
States at Forefront in Addressing Biotech Issues
A new fact sheet and database released last month by the Pew Initiative
on Food and Biotechnology shows that states remain active in addressing
issues emerging from agricultural biotechnology. During the 2001-2002
legislative session, 39 states introduced a total of 158 pieces
of legislation dealing with biotech of which 45 became law. Of that
45, 67% dealt with the willful destruction of agricultural products
and the remaining 33% dealt with issues such as the labeling of
GM foods, liability and agricultural contracts, and the regulation
of GM crops. Of the 45 bills that became law, North Dakota passed
5. For more information about your state, you can follow State
Legislative Activity to the Pew Initiative's fact sheet.
Wayne Gale receives CSTA Seed Achievement Award
During its 80th Annual Meeting in Quebec City this month, the Canadian
Seed Trade Association awarded Wayne Gale, President of Stoke Seeds
Limited, its Seed Achievement Award. Formerly Canadian Vice-President
of ASTA, Wayne is currently Vice-Chair of ASTA's Legal and Legislative
Committee.
New ASTA Staffers
Two new staff members joined ASTA in June, Alexis Ellicott, Director,
International Marketing, who replaced Kent Swisher and Peter Patterson,
Associate Director, who replaced Arlinda Dorsett. You can contact
Alexis at aellicott@amseed.org
and Peter at ppatterson@amseed.org.
Upcoming Events
November 2-4, 2003
ASTA Farm Seed/Lawn Seed
Western Seed Association
Kansas City, MO. Tel: 1-888.890.7333
Events
December 10-12, 2003
33rd Soybean Seed &
58th Corn & Sorghum Seed Conferences & Seed Expo
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Chicago, IL. Tel: 1-888.890.7333
Events
June 27-30, 2004
121st ASTA Annual Convention
Wyndham Franklin Plaza
Philadelphia, PA. Tel: 1-888.890.7333
121st Annual Convention
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