| | 03/May/22
| | Group calls for ban on GMO cultivation in Nigeria A round table hosted by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) shone the spotlight on GM Bt cowpea. Cowpea is one of Africa’s major indigenous food crops and a major source of protein for the Nigerian populace. Nnimmo Bassey, the head of HOMEF, reminded participants that the GM cowpea has already been given to farmers across Nigeria who have planted, harvested, and eaten them. He said, “The promoters of this variety did not tell the farmers that they were being given GM beans to plant. The excuse given by a top official of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) is that they could not explain what GMOs are to the poor farmers. They merely told the farmers that they were being given improved varieties. Deception is not a scientific tool for disseminating any product.” Bassey stated that GM beans would impoverish Nigerian farmers, erode biodiversity, and pollute neighbouring countries. He called for a ban on GM seeds in Nigeria. EnviroNews Nigeria In memory of Sheldon Krimsky: “Truly adored professor” and fearless critic of GMOs We were sad to hear that on 23 April Sheldon Krimsky, who for over more than 40 years made major contributions to the debate on genetic engineering, passed away in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at the age of 80. Stuart Newman, a founding member of the Council for Responsible Genetics that Krimsky headed and a professor of cell biology and anatomy at New York Medical College, tweeted, “I am very sorry to report the death of my friend and colleague Sheldon Krimsky. Shelly was a scholar who chronicled corruption in, and misuse of, science, and an activist of the highest integrity in opposition to these practices.” GMWatch India: Farmers should stay away from GM cotton – minister of ag The minister of agriculture for the Indian state of Telangana, Singireddy Niranjan Reddy, has asked farmers not to plant GM Bt cotton seeds, as they could have an adverse impact on the soil and the growers. He advised them to grow either cotton or soybean in place of cotton. He urged them not to use more fertilizers and pesticides than normal. Telangana Today Sign the petition: Keep new GMOs regulated! GMOs are a threat to peasant agriculture. All GMOs are covered by patents, reinforcing the control of seeds by the few multinationals that dominate this market, most of them European companies, destroying peasants’ autonomy and rights to seeds. Sign the petition to keep them regulated! [GMW: This petition is hosted on several websites and we have announced it before. You should only sign it once. You can sign wherever you are in the world.] European Coordination Via Campesina DONATE TO GMWATCH __________________________________________________________ Website: http://www.gmwatch.org
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