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Rice, Biodiversity & Nutrients

September 25, 2009

What happened to the rice landraces during the 'Green Revolution'? There are few sectors in agriculture where the so-called Green Revolution had such an overwhelming impact as in rice production. In 1966, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) released the first high yielding rice variety in the Philippines. In the subsequent decade a small number of such high yielding varieties (HYV) almost completely replaced thousands of the traditional rice landraces previously cultivated by the farmers. The traditional varieties where collected for conservation in the seed banks of national and international research institutions, which farmers had no access to. Adoption of the new varieties was expedited through vigorous political support in the Philippines, as in other Asian countries.

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Bayer's Double Trouble

September 25, 2009

The GE rice has been developed by Bayer CropScience AG, a subsidiary company of the German chemical giant Bayer AG. The rice – technical name LL62 – has been genetically-engineered to withstand high doses of glufosinate, sprayed on rice fields by farmers to control a wide range of weeds. The weeds will die, the GE rice will survive.

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Food Security and Climate Change: The Answer is Biodiversity

September 25, 2009

Climate change will profoundly affect agriculture worldwide. Food security in many countries is under threat from unpredictable changes in rainfall and more frequent extreme weather. Farmers in poorer countries with harsh climate conditions will likely be most affected. A review of recent scientific literature underlines that the most effective strategy to adapt agriculture to climate change is to increase biodiversity. This report outlines the role biodiversity can play as a solution to climate change and decreasing food security.

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Rice, Biodiversity & Nutrients

March 17, 2005

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Genetically Engineered Fish - New Threats to the Environment

January 05, 2005

This briefing examines the development of genetically engineered (GE) fish, which could soon be produced on a commercial scale.

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Rice at Risk: Will there be a choice with GE Rice?

October 01, 2004

Proponents of genetic engineering argue that "co-existence" of genetically engineered (GE, sometimes called genetic modified, GM or transgenic) and non-GE rice is possible.They argue that countries, and even neighbouring farmers, will be able to produce and keep separate GE rice, non-GE (conventional), and organic rice for export and/or domestic consumption. However, there is strong evidence that co-existence for rice is not possible - GE contamination will occur.

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The European Union's new labelling rules for genetically engineered food and feed

June 16, 2004

The European Union implemented new labelling and traceability legislation for genetically modified food, feed and ingredients in April 2004. They are the strictest world-wide. These new rules, which apply to the world's largest single market, will have major repercussions on the future market of all genetically modified crops, vegetables, fruits, food and feed products derived from GMOs. This document outlines the implications of the new regulation.

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Percy Schmeiser v. Monsanto

June 16, 2004

This document outlines the legal history between Canadian farmer Percy Schmeiser and Biotech giant Monstanto. In 1997,he accidentally discovered that some of his plants had been contaminated with Monsanto's Roundup Ready canola seed (most likely through wind-borne material).

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The true cost of gene patents

June 15, 2004

The patenting of living organisms continues to be extremely controversial in Europe. Large sections of the general public and politicians continue to reject the patenting of genes and living organisms. This document outlines the social and economic reasons repercussions of using gene patents.

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