Researchers have for the first time genetically-modified a major food crop to improve photosynthesis and make them more efficient at using sunlight to their own food. The breakthrough improved soybean seed yield by over 30 per cent in field trials, they...
UK scientists have created a new modified wheat variety that can increase grain production by up to 12%. They claim the innovation is a potential solution to help meet rapidly growing global demand, but also expect it to trigger heated debate around genetically...
The acceptance of the trendy microbiome diet among consumers has put wind in the sails of ag-biotech start up Joyn Bio, which is engineering microbes for more sustainable agriculture.
EU member states yesterday voted against the introduction and renewal of GM grains in Europe but failed to reach a binding majority, leaving the president of the Commission Jean-Claude Juncker to make the final decision.
The row over glyphosate continues to spill over into decisions relating to genetically modified (GM) crops after environment MEPs called on the European Commission to withdraw its authorisations for the use of a GM maize resistant to the weedkiller.
A ban on genetically modified (GM) crops in Scotland would seriously undermine the nation’s food and drink industry, warn nearly 30 leading organisations.
Ukraine and Russia are likely to become the bridgehead for the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the rest of Europe, according to the ceo of the French agricultural seeds and grain co-operative Limagrain.
The European Parliament has voted to allow national bans on GM crops, but this could actually encourage more GM varieties to be cultivated in Europe, claims UK organic advocacy group The Soil Association.
Current European restrictions on genetically modified (GM) crops could hold back crop innovation needed to ensure food security, claims a UK government-funded research body.
The European Commissioner-elect for health and food safety has said he intends to review rules on GM crop cultivation and broker compromise on animal cloning, among other top-priority topics.
A new law being discussed in Brussels this week could give biotech companies “unprecedented power” over decisions to ban genetically modified (GM) crops in Europe, according to Friends of the Earth (FoE).
Detection of genetically modified (GM) material in internationally traded non-GM food and feed has spiked in the past few years, interrupting trade and adding to food losses, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
A proposal to allow member states to ban the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops for reasons other than environmental or health grounds would leave countries open to legal challenges, claims Greenpeace.
Those who oppose genetically modified (GM) rice enhanced with vitamin A in Africa and Asia are “wicked” and could be responsible for millions of premature deaths, warns environment secretary Owen Paterson.
Widespread opposition to genetically modified (GM) crops in Africa has been described as a farce, based on fear of the unknown, by an African agriculture organisation chaired by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan.
Europe risks being left behind the rest of the world unless it adopts genetically modified (GM) crops, the UK environment minister Owen Paterson is expected to say this morning.
India’s government is working hard to reach a consensus among scientists, politicians, farmers and consumers to reach a solution on the vexed issue of genetically modified crops, according to the country’s science and technology minister.
EU health commissioner Tonio Borg intends to prioritise discussions with key European member states about permissible grounds for banning cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in individual countries, according to a spokesperson for the commissioner.
The publication of a new report on GM foods is an opportunity for industry, consumers, and policy makers to put aside the confusion of the past and ‘take a fresh look’ at the evidence for GM safety, according to EuropaBio and the ABC.
The European Commission has called for public views on genetically modified (GM) foods in the European Union, as part of a survey examining attitudes to organic agriculture legislation.
Poland has become the eighth European country to ban the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as safe for cultivation, after an EU approval deadline passed this week.
The UK’s environment secretary Owen Paterson has called for faster EU approval processes for genetically modified (GM) crops and more public reassurance of its benefits, at a meeting of the nation’s farming industry on Thursday.
A French study on the effects of Monsanto’s genetically modified (GM) maize in rats has said little about the safety or otherwise of GM crops – but it has said plenty about how the media can be used to push an agenda.
Russian authorities have places a temporary ban on imports of genetically-modified maize produced by Monsanto in the wake of last weeks’ controversial GM cancer study.
Anti-GMO groups are hugely influential on policy making in the EU and are threatening public acceptance of the technology in the bloc, new research suggests.
The European Commission has unveiled new proposals to give EU member states the right to decide whether or not to cultivate genetically-modified crops – a move that could speed up approvals but which has led to fears over market distortion.
The ping-pong of approvals for GM crops in Europe played another round yesterday, when the Commission failed to reach agreement on MIR604 and a Council vote on three others was inconclusive.
The spectrum of opinions on genetically modified organisms is to come under new scrutiny in a European consultation project to assess EU legislation governing the controversial crops.
Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy has signalled that the retailer is willing to back genetically modified (GM) foods, saying consumer attitudes have changed and it has a vital part to play.
Genetically modified (GM) crops could help address spiralling prices, said UK ministers, sparking yet another European debate on their role in the global food arena.
The French parliament yesterday passed a bill that sets a precedent
for the development of policy on the cultivation of genetically
modified (GM) crops.
Rising food prices are set to increase acceptance of genetically
modified crops for food use, opening up new markets for US
products, say proponents of the technology.
Two contradictory reports assessing global cultivation of
genetically modified (GM) crops and its impact on productivity,
pesticide use and world hunger caused debate today.
The European Commission has been given yet more time to bring
member states in compliance with trade obligations on GM crops
after failing to meet Friday's deadline, the same day France
extended its GM ban.
The French government declared yesterday that it is willing to
apply an EU measure to implement a long term ban on genetically
modified (GM) crops if a scientific panel decides their safety is
questionable.
The cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in Europe has
increased by 77 per cent in the past year, according to figures
released yesterday by the biotech industry association EuropaBio.
Food can polarise opinion more than most issues, but can we please
have some balance and debate, rather than mudslinging and crop
burning to get to the truth?
The department of environment, food and rural affairs (Defra) has
released a consultative paper seeking views on coexistence of GM
crops alongside ordinary crops.
Events over the past few months might have shaped the future of GM
food in Europe for decades to come. FoodNavigator looks at the
decisions that have influenced the proliferation of this
controversial technology.
The dramatic uptake of Genetically Modified (GM) crops in Spain is
causing massive genetic contamination according to Greenpeace -
though this is not a view shared by everyone.
The development of EU-wide legislation on the co-existence of
genetically modified crops with conventional and organic farming is
not currently justified, according to a new report from the
European Commission.
