MONTERREY, Mexico (Reuters) — Mexico’s main agricultural lobby has criticized the government’s decision to ban genetically modified corn, while organic growers hailed the move that should protect smaller farmers. Mexico will “revoke and refrain from granting permits for the release of genetically modified corn seeds into the environment,” stated a decree issued Dec. 31, which […] Read more
Author Archives
Protesting farmers key to edible oils in India
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) — Indian farmer Shingara Singh has grown grain for 35 years and is one of thousands of protesters against agricultural reforms who have the power to help slash a huge annual bill of US$10 billion for imports of vegetable oils. But Singh, 55, says he will only switch to growing oilseeds, […] Read more
China plans to focus on growing GM crops
SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Reuters) — China will industrialize biotech breeding as part of a campaign to improve food security, top leaders said in a recent policy statement, signalling Beijing could soon take a further step toward commercializing genetically modified crops. According to a statement issued after the annual Central Economic Work Conference held on Dec. 16-18, China […] Read more
Africa must rethink its approach to agriculture
A South African economist argues that governments must embrace technology and seek out private sector partnerships
(Reuters) — In response to the economic devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic, most sub-Saharan governments are developing economic recovery plans. These will require some different thinking, particularly when it comes to agriculture. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, explains to Michael Aliber, a professor of agricultural economics at […] Read moreNews briefs
Brazil to import more soybeans SAO PAULO, Brazil — Brazil, the world’s largest soybean producer, will likely import larger-than-usual volumes of the oilseeds next year to cater to domestic demand, oilseeds crushers’ association Abiove told a recent news conference. At the same time, internal demand is heated, Brazil will continue supplying its most prized export […] Read more
U.S. challenges Canada’s dairy tariff-rate quotas
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Reuters) — The United States said it intends to challenge Canada’s allocation of dairy tariff-rate quotas under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). “Canada’s measures violate its commitments and harm U.S dairy farmers and producers,” U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a statement. If the U.S. and Canada are not able to resolve […] Read more
Indian farmers promise to step up protests
Producers fear reforms would give private businesses too much control and have rejected government changes to law
New Delhi, India (Reuters) — India’s farmers rejected a government proposal last week to amend three controversial laws and said they would step up protests seeking withdrawal of these laws, which they said would harm their economic interests while helping big food retailers. Farmers have been demonstrating since late last month over reforms enacted in […] Read more
Biden reported to be choosing familiar face as ag secretary
Tom Vilsack, who was U.S. agriculture secretary under Obama, is a disappointment for climate and nutrition activists
CHICAGO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) — U.S. president-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack for U.S. agriculture secretary, according to two sources familiar with the decision. It’s a choice that will reassure farmers but disappoint climate and nutrition activists. Vilsack, who led the U.S. Department of Agriculture under then-president Barack Obama, has a long […] Read more
Europe’s ‘green’ aviation fuel target may exclude biofuel
BRUSSELS/PARIS (Reuters) — The European Commission is drawing up targets for airlines to use a minimum share of sustainable fuels, it said last week after dropping a draft five percent goal for 2030 that it deemed too low. The pledge came as the European Union executive outlined measures to tackle transport’s climate impact, including a […] Read more
Irresponsible ‘tough talk’ with China useless: Champagne
OTTAWA (Reuters) — Canada will keep pressing China to improve its human rights record but has no interest in irresponsible tough talk, says foreign minister Francois-Philippe Champagne. Bilateral ties between the two nations effectively froze in December 2018 when Canadian police picked up a senior Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. executive on a U.S. arrest warrant. […] Read more
