Crop Biotech Update

July 1, 2015

Tanzania Deputy Minister for Agri Advocates Adoption of Biotech in Agriculture

Tanzania's Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, Mr. Godfrey Zambi, said that Tanzania cannot afford to ignore the benefits of biotechnology in developing various sectors of the economy, especially in agriculture. He said this during the launch of the ISAAA Brief 49: Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops 2014 in Dar es Salaam, on Wednesday June 16, 2015.

Rothamsted Research Releases Results of GM Wheat Field Trials

Results of the GM wheat field trial conducted by Rothamsted Research in 2012-2013 show that GM wheat producing aphid alarm pheromone did not repel aphids in the field. Their findings are published in Scientific Reports journal.

Gene Associated with Morphine Production in Poppy Plant Discovered

Researchers from University of York and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Australia conducted a study which led to the discovery of the gene in poppy plants that is necessary in morphine production. Morphine is a natural compound found in poppy plant and used in painkillers.

Canadian Government Ratifies International Treaty on Plant Variety Protection System

Canada Agriculture Minster Gerry Ritz announced the ratification of UPOV '91 treaty to enhance plant variety protection system in the country. This action marks as completion of key measures for the recently-passed Agricultural Growth Act, which have modernized legislation around breeders' rights, allowing Canada to finally ratify UPOV '91.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

GM APPROVAL UPDATES

Russia approved corn TC1507 for food, feed, and processing.
Russia approved corn MZHG0JG for food, feed, and processing.
Russia approved corn DAS40278 for food, feed, and processing.
South Korea approved canola MS11 for food use.
The Philippines approved corn Bt11 x MIR162 x MON89034 x GA21 for food, feed, and processing.
The Philippines approved potato Y9 for food, feed, and processing.

Visit GM APPROVAL DATABASE

The Crop Biotech Update is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a non-for-profit organization. The CBU is distributed for free to over 23,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in agricultural biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.

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