Seed E-News

August 11th, 2003

ISF Position on Disclosure of Origin in Intellectual Property Protection
The International Seed Federation has objected to any interpretation of the Convention on Biological Diversity requiring either disclosure of origin of biological material or prior informed consent for the use of those materials and presents the reasoning in a position statement adopted at its Congress in Bangalore, India, in June. In the case of disclosure of origin, it argued that it is difficult, and in most cases impossible, for an intellectual property applicant to trace this. On the issue of prior informed consent, the ISF says that few countries have put in place the necessary mechanisms for obtaining such consent. For more information, see Position Paper

USDA to require Permits for all Industrial Biotech Plants
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is amending its biotechnology regulations as they pertain to plants designed to produce industrial compounds. Companies, organizations, etc who wish to move, field test or import such engineered plants must apply for a permit. Notice of the interim rule appeared in the August 6th Federal Register and became effective on publication. To read the interim rule in full, follow this link Federal Register. Names of organizations and individuals who have already commented can be found on the APHIS web site at www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.htm. Consideration will be given to comments received on or before October 6th. Send an original and three copies of postal or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. 03-038-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. If you use e-mail, address your comments to regulations@aphis.usda.gov. Your comments must be contained in the body of the message; do not send attached files. Include your name and address in the message and use "Docket No. 03-038-1" on the subject line.

Canadian Farmers debate GM Wheat
It was reported by the British Broadcasting Corporation that plans to introduce GM wheat to the Canadian Prairies are meeting fierce resistance from some farming groups. The BBC reported that Monsanto is seeking approval from the Canadian government to grow a variety of GM wheat that is resistant to its Roundup® weedkiller. However, farmers are threatening to take out a legal injunction to prevent the crop from being grown commercially, fearful, they say, that it could contaminate organic and conventional varieties, and taint the vitally important Canadian grain export market. For the full story, see BBC News.

Corn and Soybean conditions deteriorate
On Monday, August 4th, USDA listed two-thirds (67%) of the US corn crop in good or excellent condition, with 11% rated poor or very poor. This was a slight decline from conditions in the previous week, when USDA rated 69% of the corn crop in good or excellent status and 10% as poor or very poor, although conditions are still better than they were at this time last year. Soybeans fared similarly, with 63% now listed in good or excellent condition – down three points. Spring wheat also declined from 60% good or excellent to 59%.

US steps up WTO complaint against EU
US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick and Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman announced at the end of last week that the United States is asking the World Trade Organization for a dispute panel in its challenge, together with Canada and Argentina, to the European Union’s five year moratorium on approving agricultural biotechnology products. The US requested formal WTO consultations in May 2003 but these have not resolved the dispute. Dispute settlement procedures, including appeal, typically take about 18 months to conclude. For more information, see Dispute Panel.

European Union suspends Grain Exports
The EU announced week ending August 1st that they would be suspending all grain exports indefinitely. Hot and dry conditions have been causing difficulties in the UK, France and Germany. Indications had been that the EU would impose tariffs to slow down exports but last week decided to suspend exports entirely. If the EU maintains the suspension, it would be good news for the US which would have little competition in winter wheat sales. For more information, see EU Grain Exports.

Catholic Church supports GM Crops
On August 5th, it was reported in ‘The Australian’ that the Vatican has come out in favor of GM crops declaring that they hold the answer to the world’s problems of starvation and malnutrition. The editor of Italy's leading scientific magazine said that he hoped that Italy, currently holding the rotating EU presidency, would take its lead from the Pope. However, the head of the Italian Green Party and former Agriculture Minister, Alfonso Scanio Pecoraro, declared himself horrified by the Vatican’s position. For the full story, see The Australian. This story seemingly contradicts one a day earlier, reported by the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology, that the Vatican was to convene a round-table discussion to consider the ethical and scientific implications of GM crops after which the Vatican will “draw the appropriate conclusions”. For details of this story, see Pew Initiative.

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

May 24-26, 2004
International Seed Federation Congress
Berlin, Germany
www.worldseed2004.com

June 27-30, 2004
121st ASTA Annual Convention
Wyndham Franklin Plaza
Philadelphia, PA. Tel: 1-888.890.7333
121st Annual Convention