In July the Indian government's agriculture minister invited suggestions from farmers to enhance cotton productivity, which he said "is currently quite low". He added, "In recent times, the productivity has declined further due to the TSV virus affecting Bt cotton. Cotton production is declining rapidly, putting our farmers in acute distress. It is our resolve to increase cotton production while reducing input costs as we aim to develop climate-resilient, high-quality seeds that can withstand viral attacks." In response, Aruna Rodrigues, Lead Petitioner in the Supreme Court for a moratorium on GMOs, asked Prof Andrew Paul Gutierrez to write to the minister. Prof Gutierrez's suggestions include:
* End adverse seed industry influence on cotton research and reward Indian scientists for on-field solutions beneficial to all cotton farmers. Develop industry-free extension services.
* The use of short-season high density plantings of open pollinated cottons in rain-fed and irrigated cotton should be developed that avoid pink bollworm infestations.
* Bt cottons could be implemented in straight open pollinated varieties and allowed to compete with other strategies: "Likely, the GMOs would fail." Countercurrents via GMWatch

 

 

Movements in Ecuador are rising up to stop the commercial release of gene-edited rice, arguing it's illegal. The constitution of Ecuador bans GMO seeds. Gene editing is genetic modification and should be subject to the same ban, groups say. Assemblyman Luis Fernando Molina, of the Citizen's Revolution, asked the ministry of agriculture and livestock to explain the studies, impacts and legal basis behind the decision to allow the registration and commercialisation of such products. GMWatch on X, translating article in Prensa Latina

 

 

A new report from CBAN confirms gene-edited GMO fruits and vegetables are not yet on the market in Canada. There is no GMO salad sold yet. Check the findings of this new investigation into Bayer's gene-edited greens and the status of salad company non-GMO commitments. CBAN

 

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