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Tag Archives genetically modified

Health Canada had previously decided that gene edited crops are safe, so, in most cases they will be treated the same as crops developed through traditional plant breeding methods. Photo: File
Livestock, News

CFIA declares gene editing safe for livestock feed

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Glacier FarmMedia – Leaders in Canada’s grain industry are praising the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for confirming gene edited crops are safe to use as livestock feed. Today, the Canola Council of Canada, the Canada Grains Council and Cereals Canada “applauded” the CFIA for its new guidance on gene editing. “This is a ground-breaking day […] Read more
File photo of a cornfield in Mexico. (Roberto Cabrera/iStock/Getty Images)
Crops

Canada gets in on U.S. trade challenge of Mexico’s GM corn ban

Canada to have third party role in CUSMA dispute consultations

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A U.S. challenge under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico free trade agreement (CUSMA), against Mexico’s planned ban on genetically modified corn, will now also have Canada at the table. Rob Stewart, Canada’s deputy minister for international trade, wrote Friday to U.S. and Mexican trade officials, formally announcing Canada’s intent to take part in the CUSMA dispute settlement consultations […] Read more
File photo of a cornfield in Mexico. (Roberto Cabrera/iStock/Getty Images)
Crops, Markets

U.S. escalates dispute with Mexico over GM corn

Canada 'considering next steps'

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Mexico City | Reuters — The U.S. is escalating its conflict with Mexico over agriculture biotech measures, including the stance on genetically modified (GM) corn, by requesting dispute settlement consultations, senior officials of the U.S. Trade Representative’s office said on Friday. The North American neighbours are inching closer to a full-blown trade dispute under the […] Read more
File photo of a CFIA vehicle. (Dave Bedard photo)
Crops

Gene-edited crops clear CFIA’s regulatory bar

Agency guidance puts gene editing on level of conventional breeding

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Plants gene-edited for efficient use of water or nutrients or to better withstand pests or drought now won’t have to clear the same regulatory hurdles in Canada as any crops that are modified for herbicide tolerance or include foreign genes. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Wednesday announced updated guidance from the Canadian Food Inspection […] Read more
File photo of a cornfield in Mexico. (Roberto Cabrera/iStock/Getty Images)
Crops

Mexico says it aims for agreement with U.S. on GM corn in January

U.S. officials threatening action under CUSMA pact

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Mexico City | Reuters — Mexico and the United States aim to reach an agreement in January over a pending Mexican ban on imports of genetically modified (GM) corn, the Mexican foreign ministry said on Friday after officials from the two countries held talks in Washington. In a statement, the ministry said talks would continue […] Read more
Around 20 per cent of Mexico’s corn imports from the U.S. are white corn, used to make food products such as tortillas. (Bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images)
Crops

U.S. lawmakers call for action over Mexico’s GM corn ban

Mexico says it's working on revisions

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Mexico City | Reuters — A group of bipartisan U.S. lawmakers called on Trade Representative Katherine Tai on Friday to start consultations under the Canada-U.S.Mexico trade agreement (CUSMA) over Mexico’s ban on genetically modified (GM) corn and the herbicide glyphosate. The letter signed by 24 members of Congress and led by Republican Representative Adrian Smith […] Read more
In 2008, British scientists developed a purple tomato with high levels of anthocyanins, which are beneficial antioxidants. It took more than 14 years for the tomato to receive regulatory approval. In early September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said the purple tomato can be safely grown and used for breeding in the United States.
News

U.S. gives green light to purple tomatoes

Purple tomato varieties already exist, but antioxidant levels are low because the colour is only in the skin of the fruit

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Glacier FarmMedia – There are a surprising number of purple foods. There are purple potatoes, eggplants, grapes, cabbages, carrots, saskatoons and blackberries, though the latter may be more black than purple. Next year, another food can be added to the list — purple tomatoes. In early September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said a […] Read more
(Jack Dykinga photo courtesy ARS/USDA)
Crops

Brazil millers oppose sale of GMO wheat

Importing costs would rise, Abitrigo says, as Argentina approves new wheat

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Sao Paulo | Reuters — Brazilian wheat millers association Abitrigo opposes the approval of genetically modified wheat products for sale in Brazil, saying it will make imports of the cereal more costly and impact prices on the domestic market. The statement comes after Argentine authorities approved a new genetically modified wheat that can resist drought […] Read more
File photo of a wheat crop in Argentina. (Gracieross/iStock/Getty Images)
Crops, Markets

Argentina approves drought-tolerant GM wheat

Variety would need Brazil approval before going commercial

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MarketsFarm — Argentina has become the first country in the world to approve cultivation and consumption of a genetically modified wheat variety, the country’s National Commission for Science and Technology (CONICET) announced Thursday. “This is the first approval in the world for drought-tolerant genetic transformation in wheat,” CONICET said in a statement. Argentina is the […] Read more

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