GMO Update
Posted - May 1, 2009
Monsanto files lawsuit against German government for ban on GMO
By Malea Birke
In retaliation for the recent German decision to ban GMO corn, its producer, biotechnology company Monsanto, has filed a lawsuit against the government, alleging the ban is unjustified.
Last month, Agricultural Minister Ilse Aigner banned the cultivation and sale of MON 810– genetically modified corn seed, which produces a toxin to fight off a certain pest, the corn borer moth.
The crop was due to be planted this year on a total area of around 3,600 hectares in Germany, mainly in Brandenburg, where Germany’s capital, Berlin, is located.
The cultivation of MON 810 is already banned in five other EU member states, namely Austria, Hungary, Greece, France and Luxembourg.
Aigner has said the decision was made to prevent “danger to the environment,” supported by the Environmental Minister.
Monsanto defended its product, in a statement translated from German: “We are convinced that the reasons, which led to the decision of minister Aigner, are not adequate to pull the product in doubt. They do not justify a ban,” said Dr. Holger Ophoff, leader of the allowance department Monsanto agricultural Germany GMBH.
Aigner also said her decision only applies to GM corn—not future genetic engineering decisions—and is justified, based on a clause in an EU law that gives individual countries freedom to impose restrictions.
Meanwhile, many farmers in Germany who do not yet believe in GMO agriculture have gone a step further and initiated the process to declare GMO-free regions.
There are 188 GMO-free regions in Germany, including 30,000 farmers. These are groups of apiculturists, organic and conventional farmers who declare, in a personal and voluntary commitment, to abstain from GMO cultivation.
Most are organized in the south of Germany, where farmers are well organized though strong community relationships. The former eastern region has yet little farming cooperative initiatives, but contains the main growth of GMO.
About 98 per cent of the GMO-corn to be grown in Germany was scheduled to be planted there in 2009 and 45 per cent of that was to be grown in Brandenburg, where it has been easier for GMO companies like Monsanto to convince farmers to grow it.
There has been less pressure among neighbors because there is more land, so contamination has not posed an issue – yet.
But farmers in Brandenburg have little political tradition that unites organic farmers with farmers who moved from south to east. The GMO-free regions can change that, in uniting different groups. “There are three main groups,” says one of the involved farmers, “farmers, environmentalists and consumers. The formation is different, depending on the region.”
What unifies all is antipathy for the power of “multinational companies.” There are now six initiatives in Brandenburg. Whether the initiatives remain active depends on support from consumers as well as NGOs who help with infrastructure, maps and event management.
“I assume that the GMO-discussion will last years, if not decades,” says one of the participants. “Therefore it is important to remain alert if there is an announcement of GMO-growing.” Right now, a seventh region is organizing itself. The goal is, again, “to remain GMO-free.”
Green Perseveres Through Tough Times
Posted - March 30, 2009
Recession or Not, Green Still the Way to Go
By Adriana Michael, O.W.N.
Unemployment rates have been on the rise around the world, and the financial crisis at its peak in strong countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. This uncertainty anticipated a gloomy economy and a tough business environment for 2009. The good news is that by the end of the first trimester, the organic and natural sectors continue showing strong performance, although not at the same growth rate as in previous years.
Organic consumers are well informed, committed and have a firm idea of their purchasing priorities. In the US and Europe the industry reports steady sales of organic fruits, vegetables, dairy products, grains, bread and meat. In Germany market research firm Nielsen Co. conducted a survey of 9,000 households this past February, 54 percent of the respondents said that they may have to adjust and give up a few things due to the economic crisis, but their lifestyle will not change much. 29 percent stated that the crisis will not affect their lifestyle and purchasing decisions. “Over 75 percent of the respondents said that in spite of the recession they would not give up buying organic, natural or health related products”, says Brigitte Arndt-Rausch of Nielsen Co. GmbH.
Conventional supermarkets, pharmacy chains and discounters lead the growth of organic sales in Germany, which enjoys a 40 percent market share. And consumers will look to the large retailers’ own brands and other more affordable alternatives, in order to stay committed to the values and beliefs that trigger their purchasing of organic certified goods, adds Arndt –Rausch.” Higher prices for organics will be accepted only if the products show a strong difference from lower priced goods in terms of taste, quality, nutrition content and positive health, environmental and social claims.
According to the Organic Trade Association, in the last decade organic food sales in the USA have grown 15 to 21 percent each year. And even though in 2008 organic sales were lower than the 23 percent projected sales of $23.6 billion, (the report has not been released at the time of writing) new research from The Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), reveals that consumers are increasingly incorporating organic products into their lifestyles. “Total household penetration across six product categories increased from 57 percent in 2006 to 59 percent in 2007”, according to NMI.
In Australia 61% of grocery buyers buy organic products, while there is some evidence of a slowing in sales of some of the more expensive packaged organic products, reports the Organic Federation of Australia (OFA). “(Sales of organics) continue to increase because consumers are buying more organic products for home consumption, rather than spending on more expensive items such as cars and TVs,” said in a release Andre Leu, OFA’s chairman.
In the UK, where consumption of organic food have indeed experienced one of the largest declines during the financial crisis, non-foods such as energy-saving light bulbs showed extremely strong sales. “In the last three months of 2008, 12.3 million of them were sold in the UK, up from 8.9 million in the same quarter of 2007, an increase of 38.2%”, the BBC recently reported, adding that “a lot of the increase may be attributed to the falling price of the bulbs”.
While we may not be seeing the accelerated growth rates of previous years, it has been encouraging to observe the positive attitude and high traffic at the fairs this trimester, much to the relief of the socially and environmentally responsible entrepreneurs and consumers. There is no doubt that, in spite of the economic recession, green is and will continue to be the way to go!
Brazil Third in Organic Farms
Posted - March 30, 2009
Brazil Ranks Third in Number of Organic Farms
OrganicsBrasil Reported Successful Participation at Biofach
By Sofia Garcia, O.W.N.
Brazil, a country known for the cultivation of both exotic and staple food ingredients, currently ranks third in terms of number of organic farms, according to a recent survey by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).
This vast Latin American country, which concentrates most of the Amazon rainforest, has been leading the world in production or export volume of coffee, soy beans, cane sugar, orange juice and beef. Now it also offers a wide range of organic certified products for export. Thirty one exhibitors with quality ingredients such as cashews, acai berries, cacao, coffee, and processed foods, supplements, essential oils, cosmetics and even apparel made of organic certified cotton were on display at the OrganicsBrasil Pavilion at Biofach in Nuremberg, Germany this past February 19-22. Exotic Umbu fruit jam and Baru nuts, where two new product introductions at the fair.
OrganicsBrasil also had a stand for the first time at Vivaness (Biofach’s sister and parallel fair for personal care products), with leading Brazilian natural cosmetics firms Ecove and Surya present. Beraca, Brazilian leading supplier of natural and ethical cosmetic ingredients was also showing its range for the third time, first under the umbrella of OrganicsBrasil. “Biofach ‘09 was impressive”, said Filipe Sabara, Beraca’s business director. “The organic market has been growing each year in different product categories, and in the personal care market, it was amazing to see an increase of exhibitors and visitors, compared to Biofach last year”. Sabara added that visitors seemed more focused and knowing the products they wanted to find.
The Beraca group is working hard to supply products that will help natural cosmetics manufacturers continue strong focus on “naturally and organically” claims, which may help them go through tough economic times. Surya export manager Vinicius Vasconcelos was also satisfied with the response to his line at Biofach. “Interest has been high and we have excellent medium term prospects for closing deals with retailers and importers.” Surya’s products use ingredients from the Amazon and are fair trade certified.
According to Ming Liu, OrganicsBrasil project manager, the thirty one Brazilian exhibitors at Biofach generated an estimated $21.8 million in sales opportunities.
“Despite fewer visitors, approximately 30% less than previous years, we noted that those who did appear were more objective, focused on closing deals and establishing long term partnerships”, said Ming Liu. “The results achieved by Brazilian participants were solid and positive.” This season OrganicsBrasil also had a pavilion at Expo West in Annaheim , March 5-8 and is joining the Brazilian pavilion at Sial Montreal, April 1-3 exploring the Canadian market.
More information available at www.organicsbrasil.org.
Danish Lead 2009
Posted - November 1, 2008
Denmark Country of the Year at BioFach 2009
By Adriana Michael - as printed in O.W.N. Fall 2008
Next year in February, Biofach, the most international and influential fair for organic trade celebrates its 20th anniversary. Denmark has been selected “Country of the Year” to greet and share its amazing success story in the organic sector with over 46,000 visitors and around 2,900 exhibitors.
This is no surprise for those in the know. Denmark has a strong history of environmentalism. The country is a pioneer and trailblazer in wind power.
Today Danes spend an average of 80 Euros a year per person on organic food, making this small country of over 5 million people, the leader in the European Union (EU). Sales of Danish organic products grew by 33% in 2007. A 6.5% of all food sold in the country comes from organic sources. The capital city of Copenhagen enjoys a 12%, while the Danish government scores even higher than the citizens, with 45% of food requirements in schools, hospitals and other official areas coming from organic production.
“We have chosen Denmark because it has one of the world’s leading organic markets,” said in a release Udo Funke, managing director of BioFach in Nuernberg. Biofach management is convinced Denmark will continue to play an important role on the organic market in the future. “Denmark is a strong export-partner with internationally recognised organic products.”
How did Danemark reach this benchmark?
Denmark was the first country in the world to introduce a state-controlled organic certification, represented by a red Ø-mark, says Paul Holmbeck, managing director of Organic Denmark, a national umbrella organization that coordinates all private and public efforts for the proper development of the organic sector in the country. “Our national organic mark is trusted by Danish consumers and enjoys a 94% recognition rate”, says Holmbeck. “People in Denmark believe in our government institutions”. If someone tries to break the rules, the process goes very public and this openeness creates consumer trust.
Holmbeck also believes that the merging of all consumer, farmer and trade organic associations in 2002 under the umbrella – Organic Danemark – was a real turning point in the country’s organic movement.
The merger of eight main different organic associations was a process that started back in 1998, when the first step was to move offices of all entities to the same building. Holmbeck has been involved with the organization since the beginning and has seen first hand the process of internal restructuring and organization that has made Organic Danemark the powerhouse it is today.
“We had the same objectives and worked on the procedures to make sure all needs of all entities were addressed and covered,” says Holmbeck. Having one voice, one umbrella has empowered the movement and its members even further. “Communication with government officials and the media and reaching end consumers has been much effective”, adds Nanna Hyldegaard Hansen, public relations manager for Organic Danemark.
One of the main accomplishments of the Danish organic sector i since its pioneering years has been the cooperation of farmers and processors with the major supermarket chains, a task that Organic Danemark has developed even further.
“We created a tailor-made marketing strategy with each chain,” says Holmbeck. “They are competitors and know we work with all of them, but we make sure to offer each chain added value for our relationship with them.”
Another contributing aspect to the strong development of the organic sector has been the product differentiation, thanks to strong cooperation between organic producers, research institutions and Universities and the amazing support received from the government. “Danemark enjoys an environment that rewards innovation and a commitment to product development and to find more sustainable ways to obtain consumer goods”, says Holmbeck.
Given Denmark’s high levels of organic food consumption, it’s a sure bet that their strategy has paid off. Holmbeck also says that Organic Danemark is using the same approach to increase export activity with supermarket chains outside the country. During Biofach 2009 in Germany, visitors and exhibitors will enjoy a series of seminars and presentations to showcase Danemark’s success story and the different aspects of the programs currently in place , besides the release of results from research showing more evidence of the strong relationship between health issues and organic farming.
Canadian Serial Codes Improve
Posted - November 1, 2008
Canada Expands Organic Data Tracking
By O.W.N. News Network - as as printed in O.W.N. Fall 2008
Incisive data on organic trade is increasingly available, thanks to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) pioneering efforts. “Canada is the only country in the world that is now tracking organic products,” states AAFC Market Development Advisor Doug Peters, but he adds that others have expressed interest in following suit. In 2007, Canada introduced 41 Harmonized Serial (HS) codes to specifically track organic produce and milk imports. Previously, HS codes only identified product types (eg. Roma tomatoes, Cherry tomatoes) but now it is possible to distinguish between conventionally and organically produced goods.
Canada imports more than 80% of the organic produce it consumes. HS codes help industry to determine market potential by providing data for both price and volume of organic imports and make possible a more responsive approach to international tariff issues involving organics. Peters points out that countries can use HS codes to track their organic exports to Canada, which otherwise might not be monitored.
20 more organic codes were introduced in July 2008, including high volume products like packaged salad greens, berries, teas, olive oil and some prepared tomato sauces and baby foods. This brings the current total to 61 products monitored with an additional 20 codes to be announced in January 2009.
For more, see the Canada Border Services Agency website.
OTA Receives USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Funding
Posted - October 15, 2008
$750,000 over 3 years to Analyze Barriers to US Organic Exports
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has approved $750,000 in funding over 3 years to the Organic Trade Association in partnership with Sustainable Strategies for projects that analyze technical barriers for the export of US organic products.
“This funding will go a long way towards understanding the hurdles that impede the trade of organic products and finding solutions to opening trade options for US organic producers,” said David Gagnon, OTA’s Chief Operating Officer and OTA leader on US organic export projects.
OTA member Sustainable Strategies: Advisors in Food and Agriculture will conduct comparative GAP analyses and overviews of international markets. (Comparative GAP analyses are detailed, side-by-side comparisons of US organic standards with the standards of other countries.) Each analysis will identify barriers to exporting US organic products to specific markets.
In their project proposal to the USDA, the partners emphasized that US organic producers are disadvantaged because while various foreign nations, certifiers and producers enjoy full access to the US market, US organic producers have no reciprocal access – an inherently uneven playing field.
“As organic production and trade expand around the world, requests from countries for recognition and equivalence of standards grow, as does the need to compare standards,” said Kelly Strzelecki, agricultural economist with the Processed Products and Technical Regulations Division in the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. OTA’s previous work on trade policy and side-by-side comparisons of organic standards has provided the USDA with vital information, she said.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America.
Water Pollution in China
Posted - September 19, 2008
300 million Chinese lack access to safe drinking water
Not only is China one of the world’s 20 most water-deficient countries, but irresponsible corporations and slack government have made water pollution highly prevalent in China. Today, about 70% of all rivers, lakes, and reservoirs in China are affected by water pollution.
Although water pollution legislation is in place in China, laws are not strictly enforced. Too often, local governments turn a blind eye to water pollution. The discharge of untreated wastewater into public bodies of water has become the norm. China’s industries dump an astonishing 40-60 billion tons of untreated wastewater into rivers and lakes every year, leaving little more than a precious 40% of water clean enough for drinking.
As a result, 90 million people in China are directly exposed to water pollution every day. Water for drinking, bathing, cleaning and cooking is often contaminated with toxins exceeding international safety standards.
This is one of the most serious environmental problems in China, and has fatal consequences for the population. The OECD estimated in 2007 that 30,000 Chinese children, mainly in rural areas, die each year from illnesses linked to consuming dirty water. Along China’s major rivers, there appears to be a higher than normal rate of cancer, miscarriages and low IQs.
Greenpeace is currently campaigning against water pollution in China by urging the government and industries to adopt clean production and enforce strict legislation to ensure proper treatment of wastewater.
The campaign will visit the most contaminated water sources in China, such as the heavy industry hubs of Jiangsu, Jiangxi and Chongqing, to expose the severity of China’s water pollution and identify key polluters. The group aims to generat transparency by creating spaces for public water quality monitoring.
From http://www.greenpeace.org/china/en/campaigns/toxics/water-pollution - reprinted with permission of Greenpeace.
Canadian Organics Grow
Posted - May 1, 2008
Canadian Organics Growing
By O.W.N. News Network - as printed in O.W.N. Summer 2008
Canada had 60 percent more organic farms in 2006 compared to 2001, the federal agency Statistics Canada announced recently. This represented about 3,500 farms who reported producing certified organic products, versus about 2,200 five years earlier.
Grain and hay crops were the most common, mainly for export. Various produce (combined as one category) formed the second most common Canadian organic crop.
Plenty of farms claimed to be producing via organic methods, but without certification - almost 12,000, mostly meat producers. Another 640 farms reported they were in transition to certified status.
Mandatory national organic standards still do not exist in Canada, a significant obstacle for organic producers. Voluntary standards have existed since 1999; various provincial and private standards that interpret these in slightly different ways exist. A single federal standard is to come into force in December 2008, at which point certification bodies will have to be accredited by the federal Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Such a standard could provide a necessary boost to organics marketing. Despite the growth in farms, Canadian shoppers’ 2006 organic purchases remained less than 1% of the approximately $50 billion they spent in grocery stores in 2006.
Mandatory Labelling
Mandatory labelling about the fruit, vegetable, added sugar and whole grain content of processed foods is not an idea that Canada will support, at least not in its current form, according to Canadian authorities.
The topic is on the agenda at the late April meeting (in Ottawa, Canada’s capital) of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling, a body that works globally to implement the World Health Organization’s food standards.
The Canadian delegation, led by the federal Canadian Food Inspection Agency, presented Canada’s draft position on the Quantitative Declaration of Ingredients in pre-packaged foods in early April. It indicated Canada would not support a WHO amendment that asks national governments to require labels to list processed foods’ content of ingredients like fruits and whole grains.
By contrast, the Canadian group’s position read, packaging need only include such information where the company’s product pitch emphasizes or describes one or more such ingredients. Such logic does not bode well for genetically-modified organism labelling either. Right to Know Legislation just introduced in British Columbia would require all GMO foods and toxic and cancer causing ingredients to be labelled, but if healthy ingredient labelling is not supported by Canadian authorities, how likely is this to receive the required support?
GMO Free
Posted - May 1, 2008
New GMO-Free Initiatives in North America
By Adriana Michael - as printed in O.W.N. Summer 2008
Non-GMO products in North America could soon be clearly differentiated from their genetically-modified competitors. Beginning in Fall 2009, a non-profit called the Non-GMO Project plans to have participating products sport a seal to indicate they have been verified GMO-free.
Founding sponsors of the project include well-known firms like Whole Foods Market and Nature’s Path. A long list of endorsing organizations is available at http://www.nongmoproject.org/endorsers/.
The program began with independent retailers concerned about clear identification of GM foods and gradually spread into a national project. At Expo West 2008 this March, a panel featuring the project attracted a packed, standing-room-only crowd, showing the organics industry’s keen interest in the GM-labelling question.
“Starting right now, we are enrolling products in the verification program,” Megan Thompson, the project’s executive director, said at the presentation. Waiting until Fall 2009 to label products should ensure the system will be running smoothly and products will have had enough time to be verified GMO-free by the project’s independent third party. “Everyone has an equal opportunity in that way to launch the seal together,” Thompson said.
The organization’s draft GM-free standard, available on-line, considers possible GM contamination of non-GM products as well as products that intentionally contain GM ingredients.
“If you are an industry member, whether you manufacture products, or you’re a grower, or a distributor, we encourage you to enrol,” Thompson said. Start by visiting www.nongmoproject.org.
To bridge the gap until the Non-GMO Project’s non-GMO seal hits the shelves, Jeffrey Smith, author of the two books Seeds of Deception, and Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods, plans to publish a Non-GMO Shopping Guide. The guide will list products that have applied for Non-GMO Project verified status.
Smith’s Campaign for Healthier Eating in America: No Genetically Modified Organisms (www.responsibletechnology.org) plans to distribute the guide beginning this Summer. It should be available in certain stores, as a magazine insert and on-line.
The Campaign is run by the non-profit US Institute for Responsible Technology, which Smith founded in 2003. Its Non-GMO Shopping Guide should help consumers decide what belongs in their GM-free shopping baskets. The Campaign’s website also offers tips on what foods are likely to contain GMOs and on how to approach a GMO-free lifestyle.
Seeking a national GM-food labelling system for the United States is The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods (www.thecampaign.org). Started back in 1999 by Craig Winters, Alexander Schauss and Marlene Beadle, this group of environmental lobbyists is seeking grassroots support to convince Washington politicians that a nationally regulated GM-foods label is the best choice.
The group’s website provides links to help consumers easily e-mail politicians, retailers and manufacturers. Also key is spreading the word amongst your circle of organic-oriented contacts!
From developing a private standard, to pushing for national legislation on GM standards, to informing more consumers through GM-free guides in the meantime, the work required to bring North America’s GM foods out of the closet is finally being done.
Consumers have the power to support non-GMO products, Thompson pointed out. But before they can do so, they must be able to tell which products fit that category.
Garbage
Posted - May 1, 2008
Still Too Much Garbage!
By Sofia Garcia Cortes - as printed in O.W.N. Summer 2008
Ever wondered what happens to all the empty packaging, plastic and papers you put out to have “recycled”, and how the system makes it all work? Take the trade shows.
Walking at the end of the day through the aisles of an exhibition hall, even those for the eco-friendly sector, there are still too many cans full of garbage. Certainly some environmentally-concerned companies and fair organizers are working to minimize their impact and use less where possible. Fairs must generate some waste, from sampling and treats offered as part of the business. We wonder, though, how does broader society perform?
Germany is seen as a world leader in waste separation and recycling. Professor Engineer Vera Susanne Rotter, Director of the Department of Waste Management at the Technical University of Berlin said the average Berliner produces about 300-400 kg of garbage per year.
About 230-330kg of waste is recyclable, yet only 92kg (30%) gets separated. The rest mixes with unrecyclable waste, though waste-treatment plants may separate before incineration, where part of the waste material is turned into heat, which in turn is used to generate electric power.
All German states divide waste into organic matter, paper and cardboard, glass and light packaging materials, Prof. Rotter explains. 460,000 tons of scrap iron is recycled and reused annually, equivalent to 1.07 million tons of ore, while 7.7 million tons of paper is recycled and reused, worth 28 million tons of wood.
The average US consumer, meanwhile, produces about 726 kg of garbage per year, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. New York City, with its extensive and efficient public transportation network used by millions of commuters every day, who also walk or bike more than in any other large US city avoids pollution-spewing cars. An impressive record. Yet more than 25,000 tons of garbage is collected in Manhattan each day!
While more items are recyclable than before, easing the landfill load, new goods always flood the market. And some unexpected products still cause headaches. Dyed paper cups, for instance, are not always recycled. The deep inks used to highlight logos and corporate identity can darken and dull a whole batch of recycled paper, hard to sell to reprocessors.
Even glass can be difficult, says Marvin Tucker, promotion and education coordinator with Canada’s Quinte Waste Solutions, an organization that handles waste reduction programs for a region in the province of Ontario. Some types of glass are valuable, yet others can be hard to get rid of.
“Glass and polystyrene are really low value materials for which markets disappear from time to time,” he says - glass partly because so much is available and quality and colour vary. Reusing the bottles directly, through return-for-deposit refund programs, is a better option, he says. Prof. Rotter agrees. The best environmental option, she says, is returnable glass bottles. Germany recycles and reuses 3.1 million tons of glass each year. But collecting, transporting and melting bottles consumes energy.
Even green initiatives can, at first, prove a pain in the neck. Biodegradable plastics have no clear identifying mark, the same in North America as in Germany. On both continents, they often become mixed with non-biodegradable plastics, when to biodegrade, they must go into the compost!
Quinte’s residents separate about 85% of recyclables from garbage, according to studies by the waste management firm. The remaining 15% of recyclables go out with the regular trash. About 4% of collected recyclables are too small, damaged or dirty to actually be recycled, says Rick Clow, Quinte’s general manager. Small difficult pieces include disposable cutlery, small yogurt containers and juice pouches.
Recycling still remains an environmental success story, saving landfill. Yet firms that wish to be sustainable and present that green image, whether at fairs, in the office, or in stores, and at home must carefully consider new alternatives to packaging and presentation. First, reduce and reuse as long as possible, before recycling. It’s the least we can do to help waste management companies keep control and to sustain the planet that supports us all.
