Weekly News Round-Up: June 11, 2010
This week, we found more ag biotech stories to share, including some great news out of the EU that could lead to the approval of more biotech crops in Europe.
CTIC releases latest Sustainability & Biotechnology Report
The Conservation Technology Information Center just released its latest report on improving sustainability efforts with agricultural biotechnology, according to AgWired. The report, released at the end of May, stresses the importance of environmental and economic sustainability to farming. “Biotechnology-derived crops and the sustainable farming systems they facilitate are key tools in the race to grow more food, feed, fiber and fuel while protecting the environment,” according to a statement made in the executive summary for the report.
Bloomberg Businessweek reports on the EU’s plans to ameliorate the approval process for growing genetically modified crops
This week, Rudy Ruitenberg wrote an article for Bloomberg Businessweek announcing a proposal by the European Union’s Health and Consumer Affairs Commissioner John Dalli to alter its approval process for growing genetically modified crops. According to Dalli, any nation in the 27-nation bloc may choose to not cultivate approved crops. In the past, the EU’s approval process has prevented companies such as Germany’s BASF SE and the U.S.-based Monsanto Co., from widening the European market for biotech crops.
World Food Prize to be announced June 16
The 2010 World Food Prize Laureate will be announced June 16 at the State Department in Washington, D.C. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah will deliver keynote remarks at the announcement ceremony.
22nd Annual NABC Conference to take place from June 16-18
The National Agricultural Biotechnology Council will host its 22nd annual conference from June 16-18 2010 at the University of California, Davis. Since 1988, NABC has held yearly public meetings concerning the development of agricultural biotechnology products. This year’s conference will explore the science that connects agriculture, food, and nutrition with health in order to better educate research priorities and government policies concerning health.
