Reuters — Across the U.S. Farm Belt, top grain handlers have banned genetically modified crops that are not approved in all major overseas markets, shaking up a decades-old system that used the world’s biggest exporting country as a launchpad for new seeds from companies such as Monsanto. Bold yellow signs from global trader Bunge are […] Read more
U.S. grain firms rejecting GMO crops that lack global approval
Farm groups say even limited sale of GM alfalfa seed poses too high a risk
Farm groups say the release will begin a ‘spiral of uncertainty’ for producers and their customers
Reading Time: 2 minutes Fifteen Canadian farm groups have called on the federal agriculture minister to stop the sale of genetically modified alfalfa seed in this country. In a letter to Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay, the groups state they also want variety registration removed for all GM alfalfa until a full economic impact assessment is conducted. They are also […] Read more
U.S. EPA pulls back report saying glyphosate not likely carcinogenic
Chicago | Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday pulled a report offline that concluded glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans, saying the document was inadvertently published and the agency had not finished its review of the chemical, a key ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides. The 86-page report, seen by […] Read more
Monsanto Fund offering 65 scholarships
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Monsanto Fund Opportunity Scholarship Program is now accepting applications from Grade 12 students — and this year applicants can be from non-farm backgrounds. The program has traditionally offered 65 entrance scholarships valued at $1,500 each to graduating Grade 12 students from farm families pursuing post-secondary studies in agriculture or agriculture-related fields. This year, eligible […] Read more
Scientists take sides: Who’s right about glyphosate?
London | Reuters — The latest dispute to blow up around the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concerns glyphosate, an ingredient in one of the world’s most widely-used herbicides, Roundup, made by Monsanto. In March 2015, an IARC monograph concluded that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic.” Yet seven months later the European Food Safety […] Read more
European Parliament backs glyphosate, with conditions
Brussels | Reuters — European politicians advised on Wednesday that the herbicide glyphosate should only be approved for another seven years, rather than the 15 proposed by the EU executive, and should not be used by the general public. Environmental campaigners have demanded a ban on glyphosate, which is used in products such as Monsanto’s […] Read more
Germany backs EU plan to approve glyphosate
Berlin | Reuters –– Germany plans to back an European Union proposal that would allow the continued use of glyphosate in herbicides, according to a letter from the agriculture ministry. Glyphosate is used in many herbicides including Monsanto’s Roundup, but has provoked a dispute between EU and U.N. agencies over whether it might cause cancers. […] Read more
Roundup Ready alfalfa primed for launch in East
But critics of GM alfalfa say U.S. experience shows that ‘coexistence’ isn’t possible
Reading Time: 3 minutes Roundup Ready alfalfa is being launched on a limited basis in Canada’s six eastern provinces. Forage Genetics International (FGI) said late last month it will be releasing some HarvXtra alfalfa seed for planting this spring — but critics of GM alfalfa denounced the move, saying it’s “a myth” it won’t contaminate non-GM seed and hay […] Read more
Monsanto cools on large-scale M+A outlook
Chicago | Reuters –– Monsanto on Wednesday effectively pulled itself out of the mergers-and-acquisitions flurry in the seeds and agrochemicals industry, nearly a year after making a bid for rival Syngenta. The St. Louis-based company, which also reported a drop in second-quarter earnings, now sees its best dealmaking opportunities in smaller acquisitions, licensing deals and […] Read more
Roundup Ready alfalfa primed for launch in East
The company with Roundup Ready alfalfa on its launchpad plans a limited rollout of commercial seed into Canada’s six eastern provinces this spring. In a move likely to face opposition from several farm groups across the country, Forage Genetics International (FGI) on Tuesday announced plans for a limited release of commercial HarvXtra alfalfa “in time for […] Read more
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