Hill: GMO Food Labeling

October 31, 2016

J.R. Simplot Company; Availability of Preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact, Preliminary Plant Pest Risk Similarity Assessment, and Preliminary Determination for an Extension of a Determination of Nonregulated Status for X17 and Y9 Potato Varieties

Update – JR Simplot Ranger Russet variety (X17) and Atlantic variety (Y9) Potatoes, genetically engineered for late blight resistance, low acrylamide potential, lowered reducing sugars, and reduced black spot – The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has “… extended deregulation to [these] two lines of [GE] potatoes …”[…]

October 19, 2016

Leading Farm Organizations Challenge Dannon And Other Food Companies On Retreat From Sustainable Agriculture Practices

[SFM] Food Companies’ Sustainability Goals to Reduce the Use of Natural Resources “… cannot be achieved without the use of modern agricultural practices …” according to a letter sent to the head of Dannon’s U.S. operations which was cosigned by the farmer leaders of the American Farm Bureau Federation, American[…]

October 18, 2016

The Blurring Line Between Big Food and Little Food

It’s a curious feature of our culture that when we spell the word “Big” with a capital B, we often mean “bad.” Big business. Big government. Big Ag. These Bigs aren’t admiring adjectives. When we use Big like this, we are invoking our instinctive American fear of too much power[…]

October 18, 2016

One Writer’s View on How GMOs Address Climate Change

Genetically modified crops are helping farmers around the world reduce the environmental impact of agricultural production, according to Kate Hall, managing director of the Council for Biotechnology Information and spokesperson for GMO Answers. Hall published her thoughts in a recent editorial published by Forbes. Read about her thoughts here

October 13, 2016

GMO Labeling Law: The Good And The Bad

President Obama signed S. 764 at the end of July, making mandatory disclosure of bioengineered food the law nationwide and shifting the focus to the rulemaking process. In this opinion article, John Keeling discusses the benefits and concerns that come with this new piece of legislation. Read more

October 4, 2016

GMOs Are a Necessity—for Farmers and the Environment

In this opinion article by Robert T. Fraley, GMO crops are shown to improve the ag industry by boosting crop boosts by 21% and cutting pesticides by 37%. Read more

October 4, 2016

Brexit Is Chance to Spur Biotech: May’s Policy Chief

U.K. is to make case to retain EU medicines regulator in London. Business secretary touts professional services, clean energy. Read more

October 4, 2016

Can CRISPR Carry Agriculture Innovation To The Next Level?

Cas9 seeks out certain sections of DNA chains to “clip out” undesirable traits, and in some cases, add in new desirable attributes. Read more

October 3, 2016

‘Digital future’ for farming

In his futuristic speech to open the conference held in Amsterdam, author Adjiedj Bakas told delegates that “technology will renew your industry” and warned them to embrace change with the right attitude. Read more

October 3, 2016

Greenpeace founder pushes hard for Golden Rice

Patrick Moore, an original founding member of Greenpeace, is in a public fight with the group over it’s anti-Golden Rice stance. Golden Rice would provide enough beta carotene in a single serving to end Vitamin A deficiency in children’s diets, which he says kills 2 million children a year. Read[…]