United States keen to encourage GM wheat

The US has confirmed its commitment to GM crops, as a means of feeding the future growing population. Director of global policy analysis with the United States Department of Agriculture, Mike Dwyer, says GMOs are needed to dramatically increase yields on land already used to produce food. He says "GM corn and soy crops have proven themselves in the US, but wheat is trailing behind. "You know, right now, there's no one producing GMO wheat," he said. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers

Greenpeace gets a visit from the Police

After the recent attack on the GM crops by Greenpeace in Canberra, the police made a visit to their offices in Ultimo and locked the office down. Greenpeace claim that their motives for the destruction of the GM crops were concerns for health and environmental reasons.

A police spokesman said they were in the process of executing a search warrant on Greenpeace's headquarters over and alleged trespass and property damage incident at CSIRO in Canberra. The crop that they damaged had no connection to Monsanto. CropLife, a body which represents the science plant industry, last week condemned Greenpeace's attack, saying it delayed valuable scientific research. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers

Farmers condemn attack on GM crop

Recently a group of Greenpeace protesters destroyed a crop of GM wheat at the CSIRO farm in Canberra. This destruction which has caused CAN$300,000 (€219,936.395) and a years worth of research. The New South Wales farmers Association condemned the action.

Mark Hoskinson, says "not only is it illegal, but it has destroyed valuable research which has been paid for by levies on Australian grain growers".  “Greenpeace has shown how completely irresponsible it is and has shown contempt for the biosecurity protocols that have been put in place in a controlled environment by the trained and professional CSIRO staff,” he says.  Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers

Fonterra defends use of controversial feed

New Zealand dairy company Fonterra responds to activists' criticism of the use of palm kernel, as a protest continues on a cargo vessel off Port Taranaki. Fonterra is defending its use of palm kernel by-products, in the face of a Greenpeace protest on a ship.

Five activists boarded the MV Great Motion, aiming to stop it unloading 10,000 tonnes of animal feed. The dairy cooperative says a palm kernel by-product makes up about 1 percent of the dairy cow diet and it's mainly used during drought.

A spokeswoman says Fonterra shares people's concerns about tropical deforestation and has made sure its supply is sustainable. She says the company buys the feed from a source which practises a no-burn policy and respects designated conservation areas. Read more...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.