AgBioWorld Members Discuss Biotech Crop Insurance Premiums, EU GM Food Study and MSNBC News Video on GM Foods
Farmers Receive lower crop insurance premiums with biotech crops
Abstract: Reuters published a story in mid-August on the approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) of a expanded risk management program that will lower crop insurance premiums for producers planting at least 75 percent of their crop with an approved biotech variety. The program is an expanded version of a 2008 pilot that will include additional states as well as additional corn hybrids from not only Monsanto but also DuPont Co's Pioneer Hi-Bred, Syngenta and Dow AgroSciences. One member commented that he was interested in whether this is significant for farmers in the U.S. Another member responded with a link to the GMO Belus blog, saying that producers are saving around $3 an acre.
Sources: Reuters
GMO Belus blog
EU Study Finds GM Foods Not Harmful to Public Health
Abstract: A member posted an article from the European Voice on the findings of a study by the European Commission’s scientific advisory body, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), on the health effects of GM food products. The study, commissioned by MEPs whom “have fiercely opposed a relaxation of rules on GMs,” found “no evidence that genetically modified foods have harmful effects on public health.” Several members questioned whether this would affect the opinions of EU’s political scene, most agreeing that it likely would not.
Source: European Voice
US News Program Posts “one-sided” piece on GM Foods
Abstract: A member posted a link to an MSNBC video titled “Can biotech crops solve food crisis?” The video, which includes commentary from three anti-GM activists and one scientist, is clearly biased against GM foods, many members pointed out. It was suggested that members write into MSNBC to express their disappointment on the balance of the news segment.
Source: MSNBC Video
