NSAC Archives for the 'Genetic Engineering' Category
Final 2013 Funding Bill Clears Congress
Thursday, March 21st, 2013
On Thursday, March 21, the House of Representatives voted 318-109 to adopt the Senate-passed continuing appropriations resolution, which will fund federal programs through the end of fiscal year (FY) 2013. The House did not make any changes to the bill, as amended and passed by the Senate yesterday by a vote of 73-26. Conservation Stewardship Read the Rest…
Department of Justice Drops Monsanto Antitrust Investigation Without Explanation
Wednesday, December 5th, 2012
In late November, U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division decided to drop its investigation of Monsanto’s control over much of the U.S. seed market. Monsanto has gained this control through the buyout of numerous seed companies and its use of the patent system to extract concessions from farmers who buy the seed. As noted by Read the Rest…
Path to the 2012 Farm Bill: House Agriculture Bill Includes Anti-Farmer, Anti-Environment Riders
Friday, July 13th, 2012
The House Agriculture Committee farm bill that passed out of committee early yesterday morning includes a number of anti-regulatory riders. As we previously reported, the House mark included three riders before Committee markup began. The mark includes a provision that significantly weakens USDA’s ability to regulate the use of genetically engineered (GE) organisms. The provision Read the Rest…
Path to the 2012 Farm Bill: Draft House Farm Bill Drilldown
Friday, July 6th, 2012
On July 5, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Peterson (D-MN) released their draft farm bill ahead of the House Agriculture Committee’s farm bill markup scheduled for next week beginning Wednesday, July 11. The bill generates $35 billion in savings by cutting over $16 billion from nutrition programs and more than $6 billion Read the Rest…
House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee Passes FY2013 Funding Bill
Thursday, June 7th, 2012
UPDATED: June 18, 2012 On Wednesday, June 6, the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee approved its FY 2013 agriculture appropriations bill. The spending bill covers the majority of the functions of USDA as well as the Food and Drug Administration. In late April, we happily reported that the Senate Appropriations Committee’s FY 2013 agriculture appropriations bill Read the Rest…
USDA Paves Way for Widespread Use of Toxic, Systemic Pesticide
Tuesday, December 27th, 2011
USDA is closing out 2011 in much the same way it started the year — approving the use of genetically modified (GM) crops designed to withstand pesticide applications. On Tuesday, December 27, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) approved the use of two more GM crops and announced the availability of assessments for Read the Rest…
Secretary Vilsack Includes Organic Agriculture Leaders on Biotech Advisory Committee
Tuesday, June 28th, 2011
On June 24, 2011, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced 22 appointments to the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture. The Committee, commonly referred to as AC21, has been dormant since 2009. The new members hail from 16 states, and a handful of appointees are important advocates for organic agriculture. Secretary Vilsack stated Read the Rest…
Genetic Diversity and Food Security
Friday, June 17th, 2011
The July 2011 issue of National Geographic magazine carries an excellent piece on the importance of preserving both genetic diversity and farmer knowledge in meeting the world’s growing demand for food. Food Ark, by Charles Siebert, highlights the efforts of several seed banks around the world including the Seed Saver’s Exchange in Decorah, Iowa and Read the Rest…
House Agriculture Committee to Hold 2012 Farm Bill Hearings
Friday, June 17th, 2011
The House Agriculture Committee will begin preparatory hearings on the 2012 Farm Bill next week. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) spoke about the upcoming hearings during debate of the agriculture appropriations bill by the full House this week. “The process of developing the 2012 farm bill would begin in the Agriculture Committee next Read the Rest…
National Genetics Board Being Re-Established
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011
On Monday, May 16, USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) published a notice or intent and request for nominations in the Federal Register for the National Genetic Resources Advisory Council. The Council has been dormant but is in the process of being re-established. Its purpose is to formulate recommendations on actions and policies with respect Read the Rest…
