FEED - December 2008
Contents
1. Contamination incident underscores need for stronger regulation
2. Greater support for sustainable farming needed
3. FDA revokes proposed ban of off-label antibiotic use
4. Traditional breeding creates high-yielding, drought-tolerant crops
5. What you can do: Plan a green holiday celebration
1. Contamination incident underscores need for stronger regulation
As we reported last month, in the waning hours of the current administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a proposal to weaken its already insufficient biotechnology regulations. Now the USDA has revealed yet another failure of the current regulations to protect the U.S. food supply. The department announced that Monsanto harvested an unapproved variety of genetically engineered (GE) cottonseed and allowed it to contaminate crops subsequently fed to food animals. This event is the latest in a string of contamination incidents demonstrating the USDA's inability to contain GE crops. Read an Associated Press story about the contamination or the USDA's press release. Also, see the UCS response to the USDA proposal (pdf) to rush through weaker biotechnology regulations.
2. Greater support for sustainable farming needed
Organic and other sustainable farming methods hold great promise for reining in global warming, helping to end our addiction to oil, reinvigorating rural communities, and producing abundant, nutritious food. Unfortunately, decades of misguided farm policies have undercut sustainable and organic farmers. In the coming year we must work to reverse these policies and push for better regulation of agricultural pollution and reform of subsidy programs that encourage over-production of commodity crops while enriching big agribusiness. Now is the time to redouble efforts to achieve policies that encourage smart, modern farming practices rather than damaging industrial methods. Read more about the president-elect's plan for rural America, or read a letter urging him to choose a Secretary of Agriculture who will support sustainable agriculture and address related issues like childhood nutrition, signed by food policy experts including Wendell Berry, Bill McKibben, Michael Pollan, Rick Bayless, and Marion Nestle.
3. FDA revokes proposed ban of off-label antibiotic use
In a blow to public health, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has reversed its earlier decision to ban the off-label use of cephalosporin antibiotics in food animals. Last July, the FDA stated that it would ban these drugs for veterinary uses other than for specifically approved purposes (treating respiratory infections in livestock and preventing infections in chicks). Evidence submitted to the FDA supporting the ban linked the off-label use of these valuable drugs to antibiotic-resistant diseases in humans. But now the agency has withdrawn the ban. Read a press release from the Keep Antibiotics Working coalition (pdf) about the reversal or read more about antibiotic resistance.
| "The FDA continues to ignore the mounting body of evidence by putting off this ban. The agency should protect the health of the American public—not the interests of agribusiness—and restrict the use of these drugs." ~ Margaret Mellon, Food & Environment Program Director |
4. Traditional breeding creates high-yielding, drought-tolerant crops
New, high-yielding versions of two crops produced by traditional breeding flourish even in drought conditions. While genetic engineering has so far failed to deliver drought-tolerant crops, modern plant breeders are successfully creating varieties that will help farmers in developed and developing countries alike. One type of drought-tolerant soybeans bred by the USDA yields four to eight bushels more per acre, about 13 to 27 percent more, than conventional soybeans under drought conditions. And a variety of cassava (a staple crop in many parts of the world), bred by a nonprofit organization is well adapted to arid conditions in sub-Saharan Africa, is resistant to disease, and produces yields that are 6 to 10 times higher than the variety commonly used in the region. Although neither variety is yet widely grown by farmers, they are in the late stages of development before being marketed and are farther along than drought-tolerant GE crops. Read more about drought-tolerant soybeans and cassava.
| "Score two points for traditional breeding, and zero for genetic engineering. Instead of pushing engineered crops, we should put more resources into developing these hardy, high-yielding varieties so that the world will be able to feed itself." ~ Doug Gurian-Sherman, Food & Environment Program Senior Scientist |
5. What you can do: Plan a green holiday celebration
This holiday season, many of us are planning scaled-down holiday celebrations to save money and energy. By cutting back on meat and choosing organic fare for the table, picking energy-efficient lights for the tree and yard, and giving recyclable gifts, you can celebrate in a way that leaves a smaller environmental footprint. Thanksgiving may be over, but check out our green holiday guide to get a few tips for the December holidays as well.
