Monsanto

[moXJO]

there are benefits;

if a crop is made pest-resistant
-then you're no longer spraying it with pesticides.

i'd rather eat a non-toxic pest deterant derived from nature than artifical chemicals.

i dont know the full argument though

Yeah not to sure on it myself. If it’s a hybrid through selective breeding that’s one thing. But toad DNA or messing around with the structure I'm not to sure on. A good portion of the protein strains we have no idea about what they do. I would rather not knowingly eat it. And it should be labeled more prominently on packs. I know it is suppose to help feed the world. But at least label it. We import a lot of fruit and veg from overseas that contains a lot of pesticide but at least that is labeled.

Germany ban Monsanto

Germany the latest to ban Monsanto crop
Our German colleagues have good cause to break out the Riesling this week. Germany has become the sixth European Union country to ban the cultivation of Monsanto’s genetically engineered (GE) corn ”” MON810.

“I have come to the conclusion that there are legitimate grounds to accept that genetically modified corn from the MON810 strain constitutes a danger to the environment.” These are the very words of Germany’s Minister for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Ilse Ainger.

Germany now joins five other countries that have already banned the crop ”” France, Greece, Austria, Hungary and Luxembourg.

MON810 is the only GE crop grown in Europe, mostly cultivated for animal feed. The crop is now due for re-authorisation under EU rules after the expiry of its 10-year licence. Greenpeace is now calling on the European Commission to stop any re-authorisation. An EU-wide ban is something we’ve been working on for years, and with two major EU countries (France and Germany) agreeing on a ban, we’re even closer to achieving this goal.

On Australia

What about Australia?

Australia is a bit of a mixed bag on GE crops. Canola was the first (and, as yet, only) GE food crop in Australia to be commercially grown. Both NSW and Victoria lifted their moratoria on GE crops last year so they could grow it. This month, the WA Government ignored its moratorium on GE canola by deciding to go ahead with field trials of GE canola at 20 locations across the state.

South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT still have their moratoria on GE canola in tact.

The truth is Australia is at a pretty critical juncture with GE crops. Only small quantities of GE canola have been grown, and government results from last year’s harvest show that the GE crops don’t really achieve the higher yield promised. In fact, the results found crops yielded 10% less than conventional crops.

The German Minister had the sense to see the risks to consumers, farmers and the environment posed by genetically engineered food crops. Australia needs to take its toe out of the uncertain gene pool, and follow the lead of other major agricultural producers such as Germany and France. Last month, two North American farmers visited Australia to share their experiences with GE crops ”” both the US and Canada have witnessed the contamination risks of GE crops, as well as their impacts on farmers’ rights. It’s a path Australia should avoid taking.

http://www.greenpeace.org.au/blog/energy/?p=468

 

[AbundantIncome]

Sweden is like an oasis for good old fashioned cuisine. I suffer from allergies and it got to the point where I struggled to get from day to day without being affected by the food on offer in Aust. I mean, how can you hope to win when they add MSG to wheat flour but don't have to disclose it as an ingredient because it was added by the suppliers supplier so it doesn't appear on the end product's label as an ingredient???

When I moved to Sweden I thought I was in heaven (still do!)... by and large food is still made the way it used to be... even the manufactured stuff. I pick up packet of Falukorv (big thick old fashioned Swedish sausage) and the packet proudly proclaims to be egg, soya, pea, milk etc. etc. protein free. That's right, just meat and spices! As if it was ever meant to be anything else!?!?

Moving to Holland was like going back to Aust in a sense... a more packet/processed/additive food culture. Back to the old days of trying to find the 1 in 100 ham or salami that doesn't contain hydrolised vegetable protein aka. soy, aka. meat-extender (yes, it's about profit, not yield).

Sweden I am coming ... GMO is a no no, some have genes of fish, spiders etc
...

Anybody heard of Codex in the USA ??? Hope we do not have to deal with it over here !!!

Anything not natural is going to give defects, and we are what we eat so there would be some effects on human ...

MSG is killing brain cells etc in large, regular consumption ... even small in packets but lots of different ingredients you know what... not surprised that alzheimers etc etc are caused by these stuff ...

Codex required chemicals in food either stock industry or the plant based industry ...

Watch youtube ...

Hope all is well ....

 

[Green08]

if a crop is made pest-resistant
-then you're no longer spraying it with pesticides.

There is no such thing. bugs mutate faster than the public realise. Very batch of new pesticide released in the last 15 years had lasted for a shorter and shorter duration - we are talking about months to a year.

The pressure on farmers is unbelieveable

On a smaller scale companion planting can work but depends on the seed origin.

The only way to make sure you have GM free is know your soil, water source and purify it (can be done large scale - cost is less than you think), know exactly where you seeds come from.

Sure humans evolve though I doubt at the rate radical changes to argiculture has been forced into.

Bush has alot to answer for.