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Jul 1 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
UK environment minister George Eustice is said to have told the visiting Americans he hoped the government’s Genetic Technology Bill would be passed by parliament this year -– potentially moving the UK closer to US #GMO food norms thegrocer.co.uk/sourcing/us-re…
So if you were wondering why the UK govt was rushing through a #GMO deregulation bill that its own advisors say is "not fit for purpose", and every survey shows is not what the public wants, then here's the answer from the Minister himself: to move the UK closer to US food norms!
When Dr Michael Antoniou was asked why the govt was rushing in GMO deregulation, he said it had to align its regs with the US to get a trade deal. He said it could only be for political and commercial reasons because the science told you this technology needed careful regulation.
Dr Antoniou says gene-editing technologies are "nowhere near as precise" as claimed – "in fact, they are imprecise, and they carry major risks to both health and the environment." That's why they need careful regulation, not deregulation - more here: gmwatch.org/en/106-news/la… #GMOs

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More from @GMWatch

GMWatch Profile picture
Jul 1
The Concerning Rise of #GMO Food Animals theepochtimes.com/the-concerning… A quiet effort is underway to maximize profits by manipulating the genes of food animals
The FDA briefing packet for GMO salmon revealed a higher incidence of “jaw erosion” and infection; a possible increase in the level of insulin-like growth factor-1; and no way to determine if greater allergy risks existed because of the excessive culling of “abnormal” #GMO salmon
Moreover, FDA food scientists and outside experts who were called in for hearings on the GMO salmon noted unexplained discrepancies, omitted data, and overall substandard science presented by those promoting AquaBounty's #GMO salmon centerforhealthjournalism.org/2012/12/26/gen…
Read 5 tweets
GMWatch Profile picture
Jun 30
Heard the one about how we must deregulate #GMOs so the world's biggest pesticide corporations can use them to cut pesticide use?

#GMO crops are helping drive pesticide use, especially herbicide use, not reducing it. And new GMOs are set to do exactly the same.
1st-generation #GMO crops were introduced over 20 years ago with the same promises of pesticide reductions now being made for #newGMO crops. Due to the adoption of GMO herbicide-tolerant crops in the US herbicide use from 1996-2011 INCREASED by an estimated 239M kg—239000 tonnes!
In Argentina🇦🇷after #GMO herbicide-tolerant soy was authorised in 1996, they saw a 60% increase in herbicide use (figures 2000-2014) with accompanying reports of increased rates of cancers and birth defects friendsoftheearth.eu/wp-content/upl… #GMOs
Read 9 tweets
GMWatch Profile picture
Jun 29
Advisory body deals blow to UK gene editing plans foodingredientsfirst.com/news/advisory-… “Not fit for purpose,” is the response from the UK Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) to govt attempts to deregulate food editing of crops and animals. #GMOs
The RPC gives a “red” (or failing) grade to the UK govt regarding the new gene-editing bill’s impact on businesses. It also says more discussion is needed on “impacts, labeling & traceability”. It also says that consumer sentiment toward gene-editing has to be further considered
The RPC says the govt’s impact assessment didn’t rely on independent evaluations: “Much of the evidence re risk discussed in the impact assessment is drawn from interested parties, or based on scientific trials that don't replicate real-world conditions (incl farmers’ behavior).”
Read 6 tweets
GMWatch Profile picture
Jun 29
💣 If you haven't yet read this @Fakir_ article, now is the time!

We learn how a journalist wrote articles under false identities to influence public opinion, including articles aimed at discrediting @IARCWHO after it classified #glyphosate as a probable carcinogen 🧐

Good🧵
@Fakir_ @IARCWHO These ghostwritten pieces on #glyphosate contain the usual pesticide lobby talking points:
👉Comparison with table salt
👉Glyphosate prevents world hunger
👉@IARCWHO's view is at odds with regulatory agencies
👉Suspect links with environmental groups
@Fakir_ @IARCWHO The pieces of the puzzle fit together:

Remember! Just the year before, #Monsanto had paid scientists to sign ghostwritten papers criticizing the same @IARCWHO conclusions:
Read 4 tweets
GMWatch Profile picture
Jun 28
GeneWatch UK—The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill: Briefing for Committee Stage genewatch.org/uploads/f03c6d…
The Bill's exemption from regulation of certain #GMOs is very wide, applying to ALL plants (not just crops), including algae, wild plants & trees, and ALL multiple-celled animals, including pets, farmed and wild animals, some of which are highly mobile (e.g. fish and insects).
Exempt #GMOs (such as forestry trees, pets or wild animals, including insects) will not be required to have ANY environmental risk assessment before open release into the environment, and there is NO provision to stop, destroy or clean-up such releases if anything goes wrong.
Read 8 tweets
GMWatch Profile picture
Jun 21
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Bayer bid to nix Roundup weedkiller suits uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/u-supreme… The Supreme Court's action dealt a blow to Bayer as the company maneuvers to limit its legal liability in thousands of cases. #glyphosate
The decision frustrates Bayer’s plan to stem the wave of litigation it has faced since its $63bn takeover of #Monsanto. More than 30,000 claims remain outstanding, for which Bayer set aside $4.5bn in addition to the approximately $11.5bn Bayer had already been forced to set aside
Last month, Bayer’s stock fell 6.2% the day after the Biden administration recommended the Supreme Court decline to hear Bayer’s appeal. That move by the U.S. Justice Department appeared to diminish the chances of the court hearing the case wsj.com/articles/supre… #glyphosate
Read 5 tweets

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