EcoFarm's Position on Genetic Engineering in Agriculture
Eco-Farm is deeply concerned that the development and release of genetically engineered crops worldwide has progressed rapidly with inadequate oversight, scant safety testing, and minimal public debate. We strongly support a halt to the approval, commercialization, or release of GE crops under the current system that comprises woefully inadequate self-regulation by the GE industry. We want to insure that no GE crops are released without adequate long-term, independent testing about their effects on health and the environment. The decisions that we make now about genetic engineering in food crops will have permanent consequences on our local food production system and the legacy we leave behind for our children and grandchildren.
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COMPANIES VOW TO REJECT GENETICALLY MODIFIED SUGAR BEETS
Food safety, environmental, and corporate watchdog groups launched the Non-Genetically Modified (GM) Sugar Beet Registry, documenting commitments from seventy food producers and grocery chains not to use or sell GM sugar beets. This call to halt the introduction of GM sugar beets into the food supply comes on the heels of public outcry over mercury contamination of our nation’s dominant sweetener – high fructose corn syrup – and on the eve of the year’s sweetest holiday – Valentine’s Day. Sponsored by eleven organizations including the Center for Food Safety, Institute for Responsible Technology, and Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility, the Registry shows the food industry’s increasing apprehension about the government’s ability to adequately regulate food production technologies.
Scientists Conduct RR Sugarbeet Variety Trials, Tank Mix Research
Author: Sue Roesler
Publication: The Prairie Star
Date: Friday, March 13, 2009
Sugarbeet companies that process producers' crops each year in Montana and Wyoming look to variety trials for the varieties they will accept. Last year, the processing plants began accepting Roundup Ready sugarbeets for the first time.
Joyce Eckhoff, agronomist at the MSU Eastern Agricultural Research Center, has been conducting Roundup Ready sugarbeet variety trials for the last two years in Sidney, Mont.
“The sugarbeet factories have certain varieties they will accept, so the seed companies submit seed for the trials,” she said. “They want the highest sucrose yields.”
Her trials last year were conducted under sprinkle irrigation at Sidney, Mont., and under flood irrigation at East Fairview, N.D., which is a few miles away from Sidney.
Companies who had seed in the trials included Betaseed, Hillshog/Mono-Hy, American Crystal, SESVanderHave, Holly and Seedex, she said.
URGENT!
Help stop the introduction of sugar from GM sugar beets grown in 2008 and now being processed and sold!
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Read EcoFarm's declaration of action and see what steps we feel must be taken before GE crops are grown.
Andrew Kimbrell, Center for Food Safety director and author of "Your Right to Know: Genetic Engineering and the Secret Changes in Your Food", discusses GMOs and how to eat safely and ecologically.
Genetic Engineering and the Secret Changes in Your Food
