US delays suing EU on GMOs - for now

[Grojlach]

The main problem with GMO grain is the almost inevitable GM crop contamination of the other crops. Sure, it's food alright; but sowing the GM grain practically dooms future exporting for most African countries, because of that contamination... Because there are only very few countries in the world where GM grain is actually consumed; and the US already has more than enough of it themselves, so there's practically no market for the African countries there. Not to mention the effect it would have on the environment and the possible dangers that come with GM contaminated food...
They would only isolate their market position even more, and by the time the famine is overcome, you'd end up with a country full of GM contaminated fields. And the main problem is that once they've chosen for GM grain, it's a choice for the rest of the country's future; there's practically no turning back then and there will be GM contaminated crops on their land forever.
See here for a short scientific analysis on how likely GM crop contamination is.

At some level, I can understand the position of Zimbabwe when they refused the genetically modified grain for the aforementioned reasons. But on the other hand, they don't have much of a choice at this very point; it simply isn't that easy to come up with enough non-GM grain to use otherwise. And people are literally dying while the Government is stalling... It's the choice between what's the lesser evil, and I think that ruining the future economy and environment in order to save human lives today is a huge price, but we're still talking human lives. If there are enough alternatives, I'm all for every single solution to avoid having to use GM grain, however.

[ 02-06-2003, 05:34 AM: Message edited by: Grojlach ]

[Memnoch]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: Well, as is obvious in the article, this is what you Eurotwits have to look forward to immediately following cajoling on Iraq - cajoling on GMO food.

[/QUOTE]

The reason for the delay? Realpolitik.

[Ar-Cunin]

Originally posted by Memnoch: quote: Originally posted by Timber Loftis: Well, as is obvious in the article, this is what you Eurotwits have to look forward to immediately following cajoling on Iraq - cajoling on GMO food.

The reason for the delay? Realpolitik. [/QUOTE]Also - the EU have earlier decided not to impose 4.000.000.000 $ (never can remember if it's billion or trillion in US-speak ) worth of trade sanctions awarded by WTO due to illigal US export-subsedies. Plus there is another heavy fine for the steel-tarifs waiting in the wings for the US.

As industry feared, the cost of the label has proved prohibitive for some of the smallest farmers — averaging $5,000 each year — and the paperwork is time-consuming. Federal officials believe that the process could be streamlined over the years.

Could we read this as the USA would like its Farmers to have a cost advantage over their European counterparts by legally reducing their costs? That would help a great deal, a tacit subsidy if ever I saw one

The question of whether a person wishes to eat GM..will have to be down to them ultimately, and how can they decide if they don't have all the facts?? The food needs to be clearly labelled whatever its origin. Besides such labelling already has to be done for nut traces, for people who have nut allergies..hence it wouldn't be that much more expensive to label food as Genetically modified.

Just my 2 penneth

[ 02-06-2003, 05:24 AM: Message edited by: Sir_Tainly ]

[Timber Loftis]

Originally posted by Sir_Tainly: Quote: As industry feared, the cost of the label has proved prohibitive for some of the smallest farmers — averaging $5,000 each year — and the paperwork is time-consuming. Federal officials believe that the process could be streamlined over the years.

Could we read this as the USA would like its Farmers to have a cost advantage over their European counterparts by legally reducing their costs? That would help a great deal, a tacit subsidy if ever I saw one
[/QUOTE]Well, yes. The folks I know at the State Dept., both past and present staff, tell me that the State Dept. sees itself as representing American industry - full stop. Of course they seek any advantage they can get - and they admit it. (and they don't even wink like I do)

But, here's the rub: trotting out the "small farmer" is dishonest. The ones that they want to protect are ADM, Monsanto, etc. - big factory farms. The gov't often uses this "small-farm" excuse to benefit the big farms that line its pockets. Another, Off-topic, example: the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) requires anyone spraying dangerous chemicals on crops to know how to use those chemicals, and it requires a proper label. There is a "farming" exception. Now, who does this benefit? Ostensibly small farms. But, in reality, it applies to the armies of non-English speakers Monsanto, ADM, et al, hire to mass-spray hundred of acres at a time.

GMO problems:
1. Misuse/obviation of technology. Even the down-home farmers I know understand this one already. BT was a pesticide since the 1930's. Most pesticides have a 5-yr life cycle - the pests become resistant. But, BT is a natural pesticide that you spray on and that washes off in the rain - so there is no continuous exposure, and thus no resistance development. But, engineer the corn or soy to constantly produce and excrete BT, and you have put a 5-yr moratorium on its usefulness - making an 80-yr-old pesticide obsolete in the next 5 years or so.

2. Cross-breeding. So many problems. Some with grain in Africa are mentioned above. But, what about Round-Up (TM) Ready Soy? This allows you to spray herbicide on your crops, killing only the weeds and not your crops. But, Round-Up Ready Soy will sooner or later create Round-Up ready weeds.

3. Overuse of chemicals. Round-up was originally meant to be sprayed directly on the weed, and it is very toxic. With round-up ready soy you can spray acres at a time - letting herbicide chemical wash all over the place.

4. Terminator Genes. You want BT/Round-Up Ready Soy - fine. But, only buy enough for this year - because the seeds contain a self-destruct timer. And you can't use soy from this year as a source for next year - it's not fertile. How's that for ensuring return business?

Mmmm... I have more. I'll maybe chime in again later.