Seed E-News

September 22nd, 2003

USDA/APHIS Public Meeting
USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will be holding a public meeting to exchange information on its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program. The meeting is being organized to provide a forum to present information and receive feedback from stakeholders on PPQ's mission, activities and future issues. Topics are expected to include, but not be limited to, future priorities, the budget, update on the transfer of agricultural inspectors to the Department of Homeland Security, pest detection, and issues related to trade and risk assessments.Additional meeting topics are welcome before October 6th to Paula Henstridge, Special Assistant to the Deputy Administrator, USDA/APHIS/PPQ, Room 302-E, Whitten Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington DC, 20250, or by e-mail to paula.henstridge@aphis.usda.gov.

The meetings will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 9th and 10th at the Melrose Hotel, 2430 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W, Washington, D.C. Anyone wishing to attend can pre-register on the PPQ Web site at www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/stakeholders/meeting/index.html. There is no registration fee and attendance will be guaranteed to the first 100 persons who pre-register by November 30th. For those without access to the Internet, please call (301) 734-5307. Notice of the meeting was published in the September 5th Federal Register. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information (including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets) are available on the Internet at www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrep.html.

Interview with European Seed Association President
ESA President, Anthony Keeling, has been interviewed by SeedQuest, during which he answered questions on a number of issues including Adventitious Presence and the dispute with Europe over its moratorium on GM foods. Follow this link ESA President to read the interview.

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety becomes law The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety has entered into force. The Protocol is designed to protect biological diversity and human health from the potential risks arising from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) by providing a clear legal framework for their trans-boundary movement. The Cartagena Protocol sets out the first international legal framework for the cross-border movement of GMOs on the basis of the 'precautionary principle'.

Countries shipping GMOs for intentional introduction into the environment will have to give prior notification to the importing country that is a Party to the Protocol under the Advance Informed Agreement (AIA) procedure. The notification will have to provide information necessary to enable the importing country to make informed decisions. The Protocol contains documentation requirements for shipments of GMOs and establishes a Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) to facilitate the exchange of information on GMOs and to assist countries in the implementation of the Protocol. 103 Parties have signed the Cartagena Protocol and 57 have ratified it. For more information, follow this link Protocol.

Jimmy Carter says Africa needs GM Crops
Former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter said earlier this month that GM crops could be of huge benefit to Africa and condemned Europe for spreading the idea that such crops could be dangerous. In his speech in Tokyo, Jimmy Carter argued that biotechnology offered a chance to produce crops that are almost immune to disease thus helping to meet the most basic human right of all — food to eat. The dangers expressed by Europe, he added, were leading African, and other, political leaders to reject GM seeds.

New Zealand Government too late to change direction on GM
Despite a poll showing public opinion moving heavily against the commercial release of GM organisms, the New Zealand Government says that it will not back down and stop it. Environment Minister Marian Hobbs said last week that the Government would not change direction, nor impose stricter conditions on commercial release. Although she said that she was still talking with the Select Committee and people to hear what they are saying, she added that the Government was continuing along the lines set out in the New Organisms and Other Matters Bill. A nationwide survey of 801 people indicated that over 68% wanted the present ban on commercial release extended beyond October 29, 2003. For more information, follow this link, Too Late.

Brazil Divided over Transgenics
Last month, as E-News reported, a Federal judge in Bras’lia ruled that genetically modified crops can be cultivated and commercialized in Brazil arguing that international scientific research has certified that GM Crops can be used safely for human and animal consumption. However, in the face of a bill to regulate the cultivation, commercialization, and consumption of transgenic products, especially soybeans, the Brazilian Congress is divided. There are three distinct groups: one totally opposed, another favoring adoption, and a third occupying the middle ground and defending a cautious adoption of such products. The debate follows a trip in June by seven members of the Brazilian Congress, with representatives from Non-Governmental Organizations and the Brazilian Government to the United States and South Africa to obtain more information from officials, scientists, independent organizations, and farmers. For more information, follow this link Dilemma.

Fact Sheet on Domestic US Use of GM Crops
The Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology has produced an updated fact sheet on the planting of GM crops in the United States showing which crops farmers grow and the states where most GM crops are planted. One highlight of the fact sheet is that of the 145 million acres planted with GM crops throughout the world, 66% (96.3 million acres) are planted by U.S. farmers. To read the full fact sheet, follow this link GM Crops in the US.

WTO sets up Dispute Panel to investigate EU
A spokesman for the United States mission to the World Trade Organization has confirmed that a single panel has been established to investigate the complaint by the U.S., Argentina and Canada against the European Union's policy on GM crops and food. The moratorium on the import of GM organisms was introduced in 1998 in response to consumer fears and, although the EU has recently approved labeling and traceability laws in order to raise the moratorium, the U.S. sees the ban and the new rules as trade barriers. The three-person panel will now investigate the complaint and deliver its report although nothing is likely to come of the investigation for at least 18 months, the probable length of the inquiry.

EU Court upholds Italy's Ban on GM Food
The European Court of Justice, based in Luxembourg, has ruled that Italy and other countries can block the sale of GM foodstuffs in Europe. In a case involving Italy and GM corn sold by Monsanto Co., the European Court of Justice said countries could temporarily ban the sale of genetically modified foodstuffs that other European Union authorities had approved for sale but only if they could demonstrate a health risk. The court's opinion confirms the difficulties that GM foods grown in the U.S. and elsewhere continue to face in Europe where consumers remain suspicious after a series of food scares in recent years. Wall Street analysts do not expect the European Union to clear additional GM crops for import at least through 2005. The European Union has prepared new food labeling rules to provide consumers with more information on GM foods and has promised to the lift the moratorium when the new rules become effective on October 1, 2003. This ruling, however, appears to give the countries license to continue to seek scientific grounds for banning GM foods. For more information, follow this link Court Decision.

New GM Legislation Proposed
Just before the August recess, Presidential candidate Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) introduced six bills intended to provide a regulatory framework for genetically modified (GM) plants, animals, and bacteria. The legislation contains an assortment of changes, including mandatory labeling for GM food, increased liability and a new tax for agbiotech companies, extra hurdles for GM food approval, and a moratorium for GM crops that produce pharmaceuticals or industrial chemicals. For more information, follow this link GM Legislation.

Atlantic Seed Association 2003 Convention
The Atlantic Seed Association will be holding its annual convention October 18-21, 2003 at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, Norfolk, VA. Included in the program of speakers is Dick Crowder, ASTA CEO who will provide an update on the state of ASTA. For more information about the convention and registration details go to the Atlantic Seed Association website at www.atlanticseedsmen.org.

Upcoming Events

November 2-4, 2003
ASTA Farm Seed/Lawn Seed
Western Seed Association Convention
Westin Crown Plaza
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

January 24-27, 2004
43rd Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference
Savannah, GA. 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
Annual Convention