DuPont-Monsanto in a lawsuit over GM trait

DuPont, an agri-biotech major has accused Monsanto, another international giant, of preserving its monopoly by trying to deny farmers access to alternative technologies. The allegation came after Monsanto filed a lawsuit against DuPont and its subsidiary, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc, for unauthorized use of its proprietary Roundup Ready (RR) herbicide tolerant technologies in soybean and corn. Pioneer under license sells Monsanto's RR soybeans and corn. DuPont/Pioneer plan to replace Monsanto's RR trait with their own RR trait. Monsanto in lawsuit accuseed DuPont of illegally using their RR trait.

GMO can be sold but not produced  

Latvia's Supervisory Council for genetically modified organism (GMOs) has recommended that while the sale of GMOs in the country should be allowed, its production should be banned. The Council's recommendation is to be presented to their government by June 1. This recommendation has not gone down well with the active anti-GM group, who believe that this is a matter of national importance, and any decisions regarding sale or production of GMOs in Latvia must be decided through a national referendum.

Kenya maize debate  ---

The Kenyan Prime Minister has been asked to explain why GM maize was imported to the country even after government agencies raised health issues with the shipment. The PM has assured that all the contaminated maize shipped into the country last year has remained undistributed. However, there have been allegations that a consignment of 6350 tonnes could not be accounted for, and it could possibly already be in the market.

Fight against aflatoxin   ----

Scientists have developed a safe and natural method that could drastically cut aflatoxin contamination in maize by 50- 99 percent. In the long-term, this research would lead to the improvement of the health of vulnerable groups, especially women and children, and help reduce related global trade losses estimated at US$ 1.2 billion. African economies lose about US$ 450 million annually to aflatoxin contamination. Under the biocontrol method, native strains of Aspergillus flavus that do not produce aflatoxins, can be applied in order to alter the fungal community on crops and throughout an area so that maize becomes less contaminated with aflatoxins. When properly applied, these native atoxigenic strains competitively exclude aflatoxin producers.

Gene that helps plant fight drought  -----

A team of scientists have identified a key gene that allows plants to defend themselves against drought, freezing temperatures and extreme heat.

Brazil's biosafety regulator approved use of Monsanto's Bollgard-2 GM cotton seed   -----

The US agri-biotech giant, Monsanto, has a total of six genetically modified (GM) varieties of cotton, soybean and corn already approved for commercial planting in Brazil, including Bollgard-2, a second-generation  pest-resistant cotton. This contains two different insect control genes, compared with the single insect control gene in its predecessor, Bollgard, which was approved in Brazil in 2005.

Research Report of Chinese Soybean Industry, 2009  -----

In the late 1980s, China,was a soybean exporting country, and had even exported up to 1.71 million tons in one year. From 1996, however, the domestic soybean yields began to decline. Significantly this coincided with China's entry into the WTO. Over time, the domestic soybean yield fell drastically and China became a substantial importer. By 2008, soybean import hit 37.44 million tons compared to domestic soybean production of about 15.5 million tons same year.

GM ingredients in chicken feed  -----

According to the New Zealands' Soil & Health Association, Inghams advertisements are misleading the public by claiming that their chicken products have no GM ingredients. The Association has claimed that Inghams, in fact, use of GM soy in their chicken feed.

Bill to ban GMOs  -----

The Australian State of Tasmania has reiterated its ban on the release of genetically modified organism (GMOs) in the environment for another five years, after Parliament passed the  relevant Bill. Commercial release of genetically modified food crops is now banned until November 2014. The ban prohibits the unauthorised importation of GMOs, but does not apply to the importation of non-viable materials, such as processed animal feeds and food.

Field trial of GM trees  -----

Organizations are condemning the field trial of genetically modified poplar trees by the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology in Belgium. The poplars, planted in the Belgian countryside, have been genetically modified for altered lignin content, specifically for the production of industrial- scale biofuels. It is feared that these trees might contaminate native poplars not only in the Netherlands but throughout Europe.