30 June 2009

News: La Jornada

June 26th: GMO corn will aggravate social and economic problems. More than 300 organizations comprised of producers, environment-alists, human rights advocates, and participants in the 'Without Corn There Is No Country' campaign called upon president Felipe Calderón to stop the authorization of experimental GMO corn plots.

“Awarding permits for GMO corn production in the country will mean losing control over the quality of the white corn that we use in our food,” campaign members emphasized in their written plea. They warned of the biological, sanitary, and environmental risks as well as the economic, social, and political problems “that will be aggravated by the monopolizing practices characteristic of foreign companies that are promoting GMO corn production in Mexico.”

“Biosecurity is a crucial matter in the country. The recent sanitary crisis caused by the influenza awoke us to the transcendence of biological processes as related to health. In the case of corn, its modification presents risks to the environment, human and animal health, which has been widely shown in a number of scientific studies.”

Noticias/News: La Jornada

15 de junio: Transgénicos ponen en riesgo la cultura del maíz, advierten ONG. Las empresas Monsanto, Pioneer Hi Bred y Down AgroScience han presentado 25 solicitudes para sembrar maíz genéticamente modificado en regiones específicas. La introducción de maíz transgénico en México significaría un paso que no tiene retorno y pone en riesgo la biodiversidad de los maíces, culturas y salud; además, tampoco son una solución para elevar la producción del grano. Directivos de AgroBio México informaron que una semilla transgénica cuesta entre 15 y 20 por ciento más que una híbrida, lo que equivale a 600 pesos por hectárea, pero logra una reducción de costos de entre 20 y 40 por ciento, ya que no requiere herbicidas para acabar con plagas.

June 15th: GMOs put the culture of corn at risk, warns NGO. Mulitnationals Monsanto, Pioneer Hi Bred, and Down AgroScience have presented 25 applications to grow GMO corn in specific regions of Meixco. ... "The introduction of GMO corn in Mexico could represent an irreversible step that puts the biodiversity of corn, culture, and health at risk; in addition, they are not a solution that will increase grain production. ... Directors of AgroBio México have stated that a GMO seed will cost between 15 to 20% more than a hybrid seed, which is equal to 600 pesos per hectare, but that it will achieve a cost reduction of between 20 to 40% as it will not require herbicides to fight plagues.