The recent “March Against Monsanto,” held around the world, indicates that opposition is growing to GMOs on potential health grounds and also because of how GM crops are negatively affecting farmers.
Now there are fears over wheat in the United States.
A strain of genetically modified wheat found in the United States fuelled concerns over food supplies across Asia on May 29, with major importer Japan cancelling a tender offer to buy U.S. grain, according to Reuters.
Other top Asian wheat importers South Korea, China and the Philippines said they were closely monitoring the situation after the U.S. government found genetically engineered wheat sprouting on a farm in the state of Oregon.
The strain was never approved for sale or consumption.
According to the website, Sustainable Pulse, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced May 28 that test results of plant samples from an Oregon farm indicate the presence of genetically engineered (GE) glyphosate-resistant wheat plants. Further testing by USDA laboratories indicates the presence of the same GE glyphosate-resistant wheat variety that Monsanto was authorized to field test in 16 states from 1998 to 2005. APHIS launched a formal investigation after being notified by an Oregon State University scientist that initial tests of wheat samples from an Oregon farm indicated the possible presence of GE glyphosate-resistant wheat plants. There are no GE wheat varieties approved for sale or in commercial production in the United States or elsewhere at this time. As a result of the USDA announcement Japanese authorities have canceled a tender offer to buy wheat from the US and other governments worldwide have threatened to stop all US wheat imports. The EU Commission has asked the United States how to test for unapproved GM Wheat, a spokesman said, adding that incoming shipments would be tested and blocked if they contained the strain.
The tide may be slowly turning against GMOs but it still remains a tough fight to deal with seed giant Monsanto.
CREATOR OF MARCH AGAINST MONSANTO
Tami Canal is a mother of two daughters who are her inspiration for creating what has become a one of the largest global rallies in history, March Against Monsanto. She lived in California during the Prop 37 initiative and was outraged when it didn’t pass. After relocating to Utah late last year, rather than wallow in anger at Monsanto and their far reaching hold over the world food supply, she decided to act. The world has united to stand up for our food, our environment and our future as a sustainable planet.
Check out the Facebook page, March Against Monsanto.
