Articles in the June 22, 2012 Issue of Crop Biotech Update

NEWS

Global
CGIAR Issues Call to Action for Global Leaders Attending Rio+20 Meet 
Two Events in Rio+20 Discuss Sustaining Agriculture Amid Various Threats 
FAO, IFAD, WFP, Bioversity Cite Food Security as Key Player in Sustainable Development 
Revised Multi-Crop Passport Descriptors Now Out 

Africa
Rwanda Releases Iron-rich Beans 
Scientists Discuss Importance of Agri-biotech 
Juma: Biotech has the Potential for Success in Kenya Just Like Mobile Phone 
Kyetere: Improved Seeds and Technology Needed for Smallholder Farmers 
A Roundtable on Opportunities In Science, Technology And Innovation In Egypt 
Biosafety of GMO Workshop in Egypt 
Breeding Options for Adaptation of Pearl Millet and Sorghum to Climate Variability in West Africa 

Americas
Improved Potato Varieties Ensure Food Security in Peruvian Communities 
Scientists Call for Increase in Refuge Percentage 
U of S, Kenyan and Ethiopian Partnership to Combat Hunger 
USDA Secretary Vilsack Challenges Seed Industry 
Launch of the New NEXGROW Alfalfa 

Asia and the Pacific
Investments Aim to Crack Wheat's "Tough Nuts" 
Castor Bean As New Biodiesel Crop 
The Importance of Addressing Stacked Traits Issues in Agbiotech Dev't Projects 
Evogene and Rasi Seeds to Develop Better Rice 

Europe
GM Oilseed to Produce More Healthful Oil 
New Website to Support Wheat Research 
Germany Sends Mixed Messages on Agricultural Biotechnology 
10 Years Integrated Research Delivers for Improved and Safer Food Chain in the EU 

Research
Field Performance of GM Egyptian Cotton Varieties Expressing Bt Toxins Against Bollworms 
Effects of Pathogenic Roundworms on Evolution of Pink Bollworm Resistance to Cry1Ac 
Bt Cotton Adoption Promotes Biocontrol Services 

Document Reminders
Proceedings of International Workshop for Islamic Scholars on Agri-biotechnology 
Meeting the Challenges of Global Climate Change and Food Security through Innovative Maize Research 

EFSA's Public Consultation on Draft Guidance on ERA of GM Animals

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) calls all interested stakeholders to comment on the draft guidance on environmental risk assessment (ERA) of GM animals until 31 August 2012. The first part of the task was completed in 2011 with the publication of a guidance document on food and safety and animal health and welfare.

The current draft contains the basic assumption of the comparative assessment using non-GM animals as the baseline with respect to environmental safety. The environmental risk assessment of GM animals will involve collecting, assessing, and generating information about the GM animal to determine, on a case-by case basis, its impact on the environment in comparison with non-GM animals, the news says.

The comparative analysis is specific to GM fish, insects, mammals and birds. It should follow the ERA steps that include: problem formulation, including hazard and exposure identification; hazard characterization; exposure characterization; risk characterization; risk management strategies; and an overall risk evaluation.

For details of this news, see http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/120621.htm.


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This article is part of the Crop Biotech Update, a weekly summary of world developments in agri-biotech for developing countries, produced by the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology, International Service for the Aquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications SEAsiaCenter (ISAAA)

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