Rice is daily food for half of the world's population. Genetically modified (GM) rice, on the other hand, is a threat to our agriculture, our biodiversity and a possible risk to our health. At present, GM rice is not grown commercially anywhere in the world. But Bayer, the German chemical giant, has genetically manipulated rice to withstand higher doses of a toxic pesticide called glufosinate, which is considered to be so dangerous to humans and the environment that it will soon be banned from Europe. In just a few weeks, the European Union will decide whether or not this GM rice can enter EU countries, appear on supermarket shelves and end up on our dinner plates. If the EU approves the import of Bayer GM rice, farmers in the US and elsewhere may soon start planting it.
Rice is daily food for half of the world's population. Genetically modified (GM) rice, on the other hand, is a threat to our agriculture, our biodiversity and a possible risk to our health.
At present, GM rice is not grown commercially anywhere in the world. But Bayer, the German chemical giant, has genetically manipulated rice to withstand higher doses of a toxic pesticide called glufosinate, which is considered to be so dangerous to humans and the environment that it will soon be banned from Europe. In just a few weeks, the European Union will decide whether or not this GM rice can enter EU countries, appear on supermarket shelves and end up on our dinner plates. If the EU approves the import of Bayer GM rice, farmers in the US and elsewhere may soon start planting it.
So this "science" mostly serves the agenda of the big biotech companies, including in communication terms. I'm not aware of any "crop science" company having sponsored long-term field research into potential problems caused by the use of GMOs or associated pesticides.
We're experiencing a parallel situation in the wheat-growing region of eastern Washington state. The Palouse has been a successful monoculture for several decades now, primarily due to deep topsoil and perfect winter-wheat-growing climate. Lately, various wheat diseases have made serious inroads. I haven't analyzed the remark fully as yet, but I saw an e-mail via the Ag&Rural Caucus of the state Democratic Party yesterday to the effect that 'they might as well have burned the wheat crop this year'. In it there was a reference to decreased yield.
First response has been for the pesticide/gmo industry/college complex to develop stronger fungicides alongside tolerant wheat varieties. No real research concerning potential problems of any sort - just get the yields up.
Y'all might be aware that canola could be the perfect solution for this kind of wheat problem via crop rotation. Idaho, WA, and other state college research has shown that brassicas, including canola, tend to destroy various wheat diseases that infect the soil after multi-year monocropping.
I tried to promote a 40 acre experiment for this year in western Idaho, but it didn't happen. Will try again next year. paul spencer
effects on nutrition and other human health considerations
I wasn't even daring think that far! :)
Rust is an increasing problem with wheat, in Europe too. Crop rotation is certainly the right thing to do (it is anyway), but I fear the rust problem on the high-performance wheat varieties is here to stay, it has now spread too fast and far. They may have to go back to more robust but lower-yielding varieties.
If that means we stop subsidising our wheat for export that destroys the agriculture of poorer nations, that's not such a tragedy.
I fear the rust problem on the high-performance wheat varieties is here to stay, it has now spread too fast and far. They may have to go back to more robust but lower-yielding varieties.
whoa!
Any idea of what cultivars are being affected?
anyone else hear anything else like this? ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
the idea of short stem varieties is that more plant energy goes into the seed head and less into growing and sustaining a long stalk.
No idea about the other stuff keep to the Fen Causeway
This is a classic example of more chemicals to solve a problem created by chemicals.
I don't know (ie am ignorant of) a connection between short-stemmed wheat cultivars and gluten intolerance.
The Middle East, N Africa & US Dust bowl are three examples of marginal lands destroyed by inappropriate agriculture. We're doing it again in australia and more to come. keep to the Fen Causeway
