Latest news with #GMO
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Minister orders urgent review of GMO soybean import, policy
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr Musadik Malik, on Monday chaired a high-level committee meeting to review the import and regulatory framework of genetically modified (GMO) soybean meal in Pakistan. According to the official statement, the minister stressed the need for science-based decisions and ordered a comparative study on why Pakistan's soybean yields remain lower than other countries and why locally produced soybean seed and meal are more expensive than imports. The meeting also discussed biosafety risks, including possible gene escape from GMO soybean seed and meal, and highlighted the need for establishing clear safety protocols. A committee, led by Prof Kosar Abdullah Malik, was formed to organise a national conference within ten days to gather expert input for future seed and biotechnology policies. Malik instructed that a comprehensive policy on biosafety, biotechnology, and regulation be finalised and implemented within 90 days to support sustainable agriculture and food security. The review follows the November 2024 government decision allowing GMO soybean imports from the US after a three-year suspension. The approval was granted without conducting risk assessments on 47 gene events under local conditions, as required by Article 15 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. This decision effectively shifted Pakistan's status from non-GMO to GMO, despite previous objections from former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Imran Khan, and Shehbaz Sharif, as well as the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. Environmentalists, farmers, and civil society groups also raised concerns. Critics allege the policy change was influenced by powerful industry players, including a ruling party politician. The National Biosafety Committee, chaired by Secretary Eazaz Aslam Dar, approved licenses for over 42 importers to bring in GMO soybeans with 47 gene events for food, feed, and processing, without required local risk assessments.
Days of Palestine
2 days ago
- Health
- Days of Palestine
40K Infants in Gaza at Risk of Death as Israel Blocks Baby Formula
DaysofPal—The Government Media Office (GMO) in Gaza sounded the alarm over an impending humanitarian catastrophe, as more than 40,000 infants under the age of one face the threat of slow and painful death due to the continued Israeli blockade on baby formula, now in place for over 150 consecutive days. In a statement issued Monday, the Government Media Office in Gaza condemned the Israeli occupation for the 'silent genocide' targeting the most vulnerable segment of the population, infants, by deliberately depriving them of vital nutrition. The ban, part of a wider siege that has crippled the Strip for nearly two years, has brought the region to the brink of a new and devastating health crisis. Dr. Munir al-Bursh, Director-General of the Gaza Ministry of Health, revealed that 133 people, including 87 children, have already died as a direct result of hunger and malnutrition. He warned that the number is likely to rise sharply in the coming days if humanitarian aid is not allowed in immediately. 'This is not merely a food shortage; it is a systematic policy of starvation that violates every principle of human rights and international humanitarian law,' Dr. al-Bursh said. He emphasized that Gaza's healthcare system is barely functioning and that emergency supplies, including infant formula, are urgently needed. The warning comes amid a broader humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, where the ongoing Israeli genocide, now in its 22nd month (661 days), has already killed over 20,000 children and left tens of thousands more injured, orphaned, or displaced. Thousands of children are now living in tents, makeshift shelters, or the ruins of their destroyed homes, with little access to food, clean water, or medical care. The Government Media Office urged the international community, particularly the United Nations, World Health Organization, and human rights organizations, to act immediately to pressure Israel into lifting the blockade and allowing the entry of baby formula, medicine, and humanitarian relief. 'Every day of delay costs more innocent lives,' the statement read. It added that 'The world must not stay silent while infants are starved to death in front of our eyes.' The call for action comes amid growing criticism of Israel's ongoing siege and military campaign in Gaza, which many international observers and rights groups have described as collective punishment and a violation of international humanitarian law. Shortlink for this post:
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
India-US trade deal and farm produce import
As the India–US trade deal is under discussion and there are expectations that the US is trying to push their farm produce to India, the social media is very busy with misleading forwards on GM Corn. There is a need for clarity. One misconception is that the US is trying to push imports of GM Corn seeds. If the US wants India to import GM Corn or GM Soy, or GM animal feed, it does not mean that they are pushing GM seeds into India. The discussion is about the import of grain and not seed. So, the imaginary fears of high seed prices, royalties, seed system dependence, patents, monopoly and export brand image are irrelevant. Safety of GM food and feed items to human and animal health is the only subject that needs to be considered. Regulator for GM crops, GEAC under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MOEF), is perfectly capable of assessing the safety of GM Corn, Soy and Animal feeds. The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is capable of formulating suitable guidelines for trade. GM Corn and GM Soy, introduced in 1996, are being cultivated in 68 m ha (30% of total Corn area) and 105 m ha (50% of total Soy area), respectively, around the world. In the US itself, nearly 330 m tons of GM Corn is produced for domestic consumption and export purposes. GM Corn and GM Soy are being consumed in a large number of countries, including Europe. India's annual consumption of GM cotton oil is 1.1 m tons and the consumption of GM Cotton meal by animals has been 8 m tons for more than 20 years. We consume about 55 thousand tons of imported GM Canola oil annually. There is no reported incidence of health issues linked to the consumption of GM foods in the world in the last 29 years since their introduction. Multiple agencies like ISAAA and Biofortified have shown in extensive studies and diverse analyses that in all these years of GM cultivation, there have been no reports of adverse health effects on humans or animals, reiterating the substantial equivalence of GM with conventional crops. 1785 studies on GMO safety are available on the informalhealthcase website. The European Union report, based on 130 research projects conducted over 25 years and involving more than 500 independent research groups, concluded that GM crops were as safe as the conventionally bred ones. In its affidavit filed with the Supreme Court in the GM Mustard case, MOEF stated, 'India is already importing and consuming oil derived from GM crops. Opposition to such technology based on unfounded fears of adverse impact is only hurting farmers, consumers and industry'. So, the safety of GM foods should not be a concern for consumers. The only aspect the Government has to monitor is if there is any negative impact of such imports on the domestic prices of corn and soybeans. We all agree that there should be no adverse impact on the prices realised by our corn and soy farmers. Demand for corn is going up rapidly due to increasing consumption of poultry feed and for the production of bioethanol. According to the Union Agriculture Minister, India produces about 42.28 million tons of Corn now, and it is planned to take this to 86 million tons by 2047. Our corn yields at 3.5 tons/ha are lower than the world average of 5.75 tons/ha. The demand is growing by 8% per annum, outstripping production and is expected to reach more than 86 m tons by 2047. We have to increase yields to be competitive. If we have to accept the demand to import GM Corn from the US, then we should negotiate for something in return that India wants to export to the US. We can import GM Corn from the US and channelise it exclusively for ethanol production, thereby minimising the impact on local prices of Corn. We don't have to accept the US demand for the import of Corn. If we have to reject it, let us reject it for the right economic reasons. Not because it is GM. However, importing GM Corn and benefiting the US farmers would be a great disservice to our own farmers. Ideally, the Government should approve GM Corn and GM Soy cultivation in India through a well-thought-out strategy and regulatory process. If we do not equip our farmers with the latest and best technologies available in the world, we are putting them at a disadvantage compared to other farmers. Unfounded fears propagated by vested interests have already delayed the introduction of modern GM traits in crops for 20 years, causing irreparable damage to the interests of our farmers. It is time to use scientific facts and counter the malicious social media forwards being propagated by vested interests. Technology deployment policies of the Nation should be decided by progressive governments based on scientific assessment by the regulatory bodies. They can not be decided based on campaigns being run on social media by those whose sworn objective is GM-free India. Governments have to decide what is good for the farmer, the consumer and the environment. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
3 Short-Term Government Bond Funds for a Stable Income
A short-term government bond fund is a mutual fund that is limited by its investment objectives and fund bylaws to invest primarily in short-term obligations of the federal government or its agencies. Depending on the fund's definition, the short term can be up to five years. Mutual funds that invest in government debt securities are among the most secure investment options that provide regular income while protecting the capital invested. Funds that are part of this category bring a great deal of stability to a portfolio with a large proportion of equity. They pay out dividends more frequently than individual bonds. Hence, these are considered the safest in the bond fund category and are ideal for risk-averse investors. Below, we share with you three top-ranked short-term government bond mutual funds — GMO US Treasury GUSTX, Federated Hermes Short-Term Govt IS FSGVX and SEI Short-Duration Government TCSGX. Each has earned a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and is expected to outperform its peers in the future. Investors can click here to see the complete list of funds. GMO US Treasury invests most of its net assets in Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations and collateralized repurchase agreements that include U.S. Treasury bills, bonds and notes and other securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, as well as Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities and other zero-coupon securities. The fund has returned 4.8% over the past three years. As of February 2025, GUSTX had 22.4% of its net assets in Total Cash. Federated Hermes Short-Term Govt IS primarily invests in a portfolio generally consisting of U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. government agency securities with maturities of not less than one year and not more than three years, and related derivative contracts. The fund has returned 3.1% over the past three years. Todd A. Abraham has been one of the fund managers of FSGVX since April 2017. SEI Short-Duration Government invests the majority of its assets in U.S. Treasury obligations and other issues such as mortgage-backed securities and repurchase agreements that are guaranteed by various agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government. The fund has returned 3.5% over the past three years. TCSGX has an expense ratio of 0.48%. To view the Zacks Rank and the past performance of all short-term government bond mutual funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of short-term government bond mutual funds. Want key mutual fund info delivered straight to your inbox? Zacks' free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing mutual funds, each week. Get it free >> View All Zacks #1 Ranked Mutual Funds Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Get Your Free (GUSTX): Fund Analysis Report Get Your Free (TCSGX): Fund Analysis Report Get Your Free (FSGVX): Fund Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
New York Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
E.P.A. Proposes Allowing Use of Dicamba Weedkiller on Some Crops
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed allowing the use of three products containing a controversial herbicide on genetically engineered cotton and soybeans. Last year, a federal court made certain uses of dicamba illegal after farmers complained that it had a tendency to drift into neighboring fields, damaging their crops. The ban was scheduled to take full effect this year. The E.P.A., which reviewed dicamba's uses and found it poses no risk to human health, is now accepting public comment on its proposed decision. It will then decide whether to greenlight the products. In a statement on Wednesday the E.P.A. said, 'these new products would give farmers an additional tool to help manage crops and increase yields in order to provide a healthy and affordable food supply for our country." Agriculture groups applauded the decision. Dicamba became one of the most widely-used herbicides on the market after agribusiness companies like Monsanto released genetically engineered seeds that could tolerate it in 2016. The idea was that farmers could spray their fields with dicamba and weeds would wilt while the crops would survive. Dicamba-tolerant seeds were developed in response to growing weed tolerance to another widely used herbicide, glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. Starting in the 1990s, Monsanto marketed genetically engineered 'Roundup Ready' crop seeds alongside the popular herbicide Roundup. This line of corn, cotton and soy seeds was bred to resist glyphosate, and by 2011 more than 90 percent of soybeans grown in the U.S. were genetically engineered. The E.P.A.'s decision drew an immediate rebuke from the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental advocacy group that has sued over the use of dicamba. In a statement, Nathan Donley, the group's environmental health science director said, 'this is what happens when pesticide oversight is controlled by industry lobbyists.' Last month, Kyle Kunkler, a former soybean industry lobbyist who has been a vocal proponent of dicamba, joined the E.P.A.'s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention as its deputy assistant administrator.
