Here Cropchoice presents an assortment of interesting farm news releases from a variety of sources. You'll find mention of many of these stories in Cropchoice news. Listing here does not imply endorsement by Cropchoice. 2004 October          September 2004 National Starch Launches TRUETRACE(TM) Program to Verify Non-GMO Products Authored By: National Starch BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- National Starch has expanded its crop identity-preservation program and implemented a broader, documented identity-tracing program to verify the non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO) status of the company's food ingredients. IMC Global and Cargill Receive Canadian Antitrust Clearance for Pending Transaction Authored By: PR Newswire Syngenta Launches New Generation of Cotton Seed Treatment in the US Authored By: Syngenta Monsanto Launches VISTIVE(TM) Soybeans; Will Provide a Trans Fats Solution for the Food Industry Authored By: Monsanto China Non-Compliant with WTO Obligations, According to Coalition Letter (9-1-04) Authored By: National Corn Growers Association Updated Fact Sheet on GM Crops in the U.S. Released by Pew Initiative Authored By: Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology The Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology has updated its fact sheet on the amount, and types, of genetically modified crops grown in the U.S. to include 2004 data recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Life after the Central Dogma Authored By: Institute for Science in Society The biotech industry was launched on the scientific myth that organisms are hardwired in their genes, a myth thoroughly exploded by scientific findings accumulating since the mid 1970s and especially so since genome sequences have been accumulating (see Living with the Fluid Genome, by Mae-Wan Ho ). EU TO ALLOW GM CROPS THROUGH BACK DOOR Authored By: Friends of the Earth Friends of the Earth is calling on the European Commission to halt proposals that would allow farmers to commercially grow up to 17 different types of genetically modified (GM) maize seeds in fields across the whole of Europe. The Commission, which is meeting in Brussels on WEDNESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER, also wants to legalise the widespread GM contamination of conventional crops. COMMISSION SET TO RUSH THROUGH CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSAL ALLOWING CONTAMINATION OF SEEDS WITH GMOs Authored By: IFOAM NGOs and organic farmers urge Prodi Commission to avoid disastrous legacy Campaign for GM free zones and regions gathers force Authored By: Friends of the Earth - Europe American Corn Growers Join Coalition Supporting Emergency Aid Authored By: American Corn Growers Association NFU Praises Senate Vote on Agricultural Disaster Aid Authored By: National Farmers Union NFU Disappointed with Senate Appropriations Vote on COOL Authored By: National Farmers Union Synthetic Genes in Food Crops Authored By: Institute for Science in Society ISIS Press Release 01/09/04 Synthetic Genes in Food Crops Prof. Joe Cummins explains why genes inserted into GM crops are not "substantially equivalent" to genes in their native state Divergence, Monsanto Collaborate to Develop Nematode-Resistant Soybeans Authored By: Divergence, Monsanto ST. LOUIS, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monsanto Company and Divergence, Inc. announced today a collaborative relationship to develop nematode-resistant soybeans. The targeted pest, soybean cyst nematode, attacks roots of soybean during the growing season, and the annual U.S. yield loss can amount to a billion-dollar problem for soybean growers. As part of the collaboration, Monsanto will gain exclusive rights to Divergence's existing technology in this area and will provide funding for ongoing research performed by Divergence. Divergence will also receive milestone payments based on research and development success, and royalties once products reach the marketplace. Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act is a 'Down Payment on Future Action' Authored By: Western Growers GM foods: Europe accused of "caving in" to U.S. Authored By: Friends of the Earth - Europe Brussels, Belgium, 17 September 2004 - The European Union's executive Commission has been accused in a letter today (Friday) by an alliance of environmental, farming and civil society organisations [1] of "caving in" to pressure by the United States and the World Trade Organisation to accept genetically modified (GM) foods. Greenpeace Canada urges letters to favoring GM labeling Authored By: Greenpeace - Canada Experts say GM crops alone will not end hunger WTO Ruling and Bush Trade Commitments Require Rethinking of U.S. Agricultural Policy Authored By: American Corn Growers Association SEATTLE, Sept. 18, 2004 – At this year’s Farm Aid concert near Seattle, Wash., Larry Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA), declared, “We must rethink U.S. agriculture policy and change course to secure farmers’ livelihoods world wide.” PRESS RELEASE: Participation is not enough – Codex fails consumer organisations says CI Authored By: Consumers International Drought-resistant GM rice toxic? Authored By: Institute for Science in Society No go GM oilseed rape GT73 Authored By: Institute for Science in Society Major Farm Groups Band Together to Campaign for Agriculture Authored By: Home Grown Corn Producers Index Shows Need to Rethink U.S. Agriculture Policy: Nebraska Farmer Tells Farm Aid Crowd “We Must Change Course” Authored By: American Corn Growers Association NFU Testifies on Sale of Farm Credit Services Authored By: National Farmers Union Missouri Farmers Trek to Washington Fly-In: Farmers to Petition Congress for Origin Labels, Disaster Aid, Fairer Trade Authored By: Missouri Farmers Union U.S. Corn Industry Voices Opposition to Dominican Republic Soda Tax Authored By: National Corn Growers Association Syngenta and Fox Paine complete Advanta acquisition Authored By: Syngenta Syngenta has acquired the North American corn and soybean business of Advanta, which trades under the Garst brand. Fox Paine now owns all Advanta operations outside North America and the non-corn and non-soybean operations within North America. August July June May April March February January 2003 December November October September August July June May April March February January 2002 December November October September August July June April February January 2001 December August July June May April February 2000 September September