Performance Plants Inc. (PPI) is getting a multi-year federal funding boost through the AgriScience Program – Projects Component. Over four years, the agricultural biotechnology developer will receive $2,325,361 to develop a high-yielding, climate change-resistant soybean and enable field testing. “Soybean farming is a cornerstone of agriculture here in Canada,” said Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture […] Read more
Tag Archives biotechnology
Government funds soybean climate-change resistance research
Canada reported seeking formal talks with Mexico on GMO rule
U.S. already seeking similar talks
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada has asked for formal consultations with Mexico over its restrictions on genetically modified (GM) agricultural imports under the North American free-trade agreement, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Canada requested the talks on Tuesday, according to Bloomberg, a day after the U.S. requested formal trade consultations […] Read more
France backs non-GMO regulation for crop gene-editing in EU
Paris | Reuters — France sees crops developed using gene-editing techniques as different to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and opposes a European Union court decision to put them under strict GMO regulations, the country’s agriculture minister said. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled in 2018 that mutagenesis, among so-called new breeding techniques (NBT) based […] Read more
Some GM crops could hit market without review
Traits that could have been achieved through traditional breeding might not require approval
Reuters – The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced a rule that will simplify or waive agency reviews of certain biotech farm products, including plants and seeds that have been genetically modified or engineered. As a result, some products could be sold to farmers without a USDA review — a move that comes despite concerns […] Read more
Knowledge helps change GMO opinions
Science Notes: Skepticism toward science, technology largely due to a lack of understanding
The practice of altering foods genetically through the introduction of a gene from a different organism has courted controversy right from the start. While genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are considered safe by an overwhelming majority of scientists, including the National Academy of Sciences, the World Health Organization, and the American Medical Association, only about one-third […] Read more
Trump simplifies reviews of genetically modified farm products
Council Bluffs | Reuters — U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday directing federal agencies to streamline the review process for agricultural biotechnology including genetically modified livestock and seeds. Trump signed the order during a visit to an ethanol plant in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The executive order, he said, would “speed up […] Read more
Biotech crops still a sticking point in U.S.-China trade deal
The issue is one of a number of complaints the U.S. administration has raised
Reuters – China’s lengthy approval process for genetically modified crops remains a sticking point in talks to end the trade war between China and the United States, according to two sources with knowledge of the talks. Beijing has taken years to approve new strains of GM crops, which U.S. companies and farmers have complained stalls […] Read more
How will gene-editing reach the farm?
Biotech advocates say regulatory clarity is critical, but not available in Canada
Biotechnology experts and supporters from the agriculture and medical sectors met in Toronto recently to discuss how Canada’s regulatory system could better enable the safe commercialization of gene-edited plants and animals. Hosted by Ontario Agri-Food Technologies and CropLife Canada, the March 7 meeting provided an overview of gene-editing regulations in various countries around the world. […] Read more
U.S. to seek comprehensive ag access in EU trade talks
Washington | Reuters — The United States on Friday signaled it would not bow to the European Union’s request to keep agriculture out of this year’s planned U.S.-EU trade talks, publishing negotiating objectives that seek comprehensive EU access for American farm products. The objectives, required by Congress under the “fast-track” trade negotiating authority law, seek […] Read more
Wheat’s bigger future
New genetic tools are emerging after the sequencing of the wheat genome
The sequencing of the wheat genome means researchers will finally have access to genetic tools to help with wheat development — an advantage other crops have had for years. It should also mean that Ontario growers will see quicker-developed varieties with traits like fusarium head blight resistance. Wheat’s genome was finally sequenced earlier this year […] Read more