3/25/05

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1. UK Scientists Find More Birds and Bees on Non-GMO Crops
2. Conservation Security Program Sign-up March 28!
3. Syngenta Can't Control Its GMO Products
4. Invasive Species Inspections Plummet

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UK SCIENTISTS FIND MORE BIRDS AND BEES ON NON-GMO CROPS

Birds and bees are more likely to thrive in fields of natural rapeseed (canola) than GMO seed, scientists found in the world's biggest study to date on the impact of genetically modified (GMO) crops on wildlife. The reason for the differences was not the genetic engineering itself, but because pesticide applications to the herbicide-resistant rapeseed left fewer broadleaved weeds, which provide nectar and seed to insects and birds. 

"The study demonstrates the importance of the effects of herbicide management on wildlife in fields and adjacent areas," researcher David Bohan said. The result builds on studies released in October 2003, which found that GMO sugar beet spraying was significantly more damaging to the environment than the management of conventional varieties. 

In response, a spokesmen for the Agricultural Biotechnology Council, which represents biotech firms like Monsanto and Syngenta, insisted: "GM crops offer a better, more flexible weed management option for farmers and, as the results today indicate, the difference between the impact of growing GM and non-GM crops on biodiversity is minimal."


CSP SIGN-UP BEGINS MARCH 28! 

The USDA announced last week that the 2005 sign-up for the Conservation Security Program (CSP) will be held from March 28 to May 27 in 220 watersheds across the country. 

The 2005 CSP sign-up includes the 202 watersheds announced by USDA on Nov. 2, 2004, as well as the 18 watersheds in which the program was offered during the fiscal year 2004 sign-up. Producers who have a 
current CSP contract are not eligible for this sign-up. Most working agricultural lands will be eligible for CSP, including cropland, orchards, vineyards, pasture and range. 

To apply for CSP, NRCS asks participants to complete a self-assessment workbook—available on the Web or from local NRCS offices—to determine if their operations meet the requirements. The self-assessment process is completed using a self-screening questionnaire for each land use to be enrolled. Additional information on CSP, including eligible watersheds, self-assessment workbook and the amendment to the interim final rule, is available at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp.

SYNGENTA CAN'T CONTROL ITS GMO PRODUCTS

Earlier this week biotech company Syngenta AG admitted that for the past four years it has accidentally sold an unapproved strain of genetically modified corn to U.S. farmers. 

The company says that it mistook the unapproved strain for an almost identical one that was developed at the same time and given regulatory approval by the U.S. in 2001. You may recall another case of negligence from 2000, when an unapproved strain of corn developed by Aventis SA mixed with other corn varieties and caused significant human food allergy problems, forcing companies to recall products made with the infected corn. 

Adding further concern, a recent study by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that GE DNA is contaminating traditional seeds of three major U.S. crops, possibly through natural pollination or accidental mixing of seed varieties.


INVASIVE SPECIS INSPECTIONS PLUMMET

In the three years since the Homeland Security Department assumed the job of protecting U.S. borders from foreign pests and diseases, agricultural inspections at ports of entry have fallen 8 percent -- even as imports kept rising. 

At one port, searches of cargo containers have dropped from 1200 per week to 500 per week, and overall seizures of prohibited plants and animals fell from 1.8 million in 2002 to 1.6 million in 2004. 

Reduced inspection puts the U.S. at greater risk for the entry of invasive species –- weedy plants as well as insects or pathogens that "hitchhike" on agriculture imports – and puts both agriculture and natural areas more at risk. 

"I'm mad about it," says Joel Nelsen, California Citrus Mutual, a grower trade association, said Friday. "I 
believe we're very susceptible to an intentional or accidental infestation." 

All inspections were formerly handled by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service within the USDA, but when the Department of Homeland Security was formed, lawmakers transferred about 1,500 Agriculture Department inspectors into the new agency.

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Scotty Johnson and Aimee Delach
National Rural Community Outreach Campaign
sjohnson@defenders.org