The Senate Agriculture Committee today held a business meeting where the Chairman’s Mark on Biotechnology Labeling Solutions was favorably reported with a bipartisan vote of 14-6. The legislation, which creates a voluntary national labeling law for genetically modified products, now heads to the full Senate for consideration. “This is really a conversation about a few states dictating to every state …
Purdue President Calls for End to GMO Attacks
Purdue University President Mitch Daniels on Thursday (Feb. 25) called on leaders in the public, private and nonprofit sectors to push back against the attackers of biotechnology in agricultural production. Daniels was a keynote speaker at the annual Agricultural Outlook Forum in Arlington. “The attack on GMO technology is the most blatant anti-science of the age, but it is far …
GMO Labeling Bill Mark Up Delayed
A meeting by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to consider the Chairman’s Mark on Biotechnology Labeling Solutions has been postponed until next week. The committee meeting was scheduled for today but is being delayed due to “changes on the Senate floor.” The chairman’s proposed legislation has been endorsed by the Coalition for Safe, Affordable Food, which has …
GMO Convert at #AFBF16
Anti-GMO activist turned advocate Mark Lynas shared his conversion experience during a featured workshop at the 97th American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show. Lynas told an audience of farmers and ranchers how he changed his mind on GMOs when he came face-to-face with the science supporting biotechnology. “As a scientist, you must have data to back …
Novozymes is Ranked Best Science Employer
Science Magazine released it’s annual Top Employers Survey, and Novozymes has been ranked number one. The survey encompasses employees from biotechnology, pharmaceutical and related companies and ranks the top 20 globally. Novozymes was selected because they are leaders in their industry, treat employees with respect, and are socially responsible. “We are very proud to be recognized as the best employer by …
Science Moms Challenge Celeb Moms on GMOs
The granddaughter of the father of the Green Revolution has a bone to pick with the mother of Apple. Julie Borlaug, granddaughter of Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug, joined eleven other “science and advocate” moms across the country in co-signing a letter to celebrity moms, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Sarah Michelle Gellar, regarding their opposition to agricultural biotechnology. Paltrow and her …
Pope Francis Calls for Better Care of Our Home
Pope Francis is calling on humankind to take better care of our home. The Pope, like those before him, has been vocal about climate change and the role humans have played. In LAUDATO SI’ On Care of Our Common Home, Pope Francis writes that our lifestyle of a “throw-away” society – consumption and waste – must change or humans will …
ASTA CEO Pleased with 2015 #ASTAannual
American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) president and CEO Andy LaVigne is pleased with the turnout of industry members at the 132nd annual meeting in Washington DC this week and with the reception they have received on Capitol Hill. In his opening session welcome, LaVigne said he was especially thrilled to have Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack address the meeting despite his …
ASTA Members Storm the Hill
Over 120 members of the American Seed Trade Association “stormed the Hill” this week, meeting with their elected officials in Washington DC to talk about important issues for the seed industry. “It was the most people we’ve had Storm the Hill ever,” said incoming ASTA chair Risa DeMasi of Grassland Oregon. “This is the first time that I’ve gone to …
Nebraska Governor Concludes European Trade Trip
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts wrapped up his first agricultural trade mission this week with a visit to Novozymes world headquarters in Denmark, where a company tour showcased the production of unique enzymes and microbial products used in the animal nutrition, agriculture, and biofuels industries. The visit marked the end of the trade mission with agriculture industry representatives that also included …