Reuters by Sybille de La Hamaide The French parliament gave final approval on Monday to a law prohibiting the cultivation of any variety of genetically modified maize in the European Union’s top grain producer, where a majority of people remain strongly opposed to foods based on genetically modified organisms,...
A bill requiring the labeling of genetically modified foods got an informational hearing in St. Paul. Star Tribune by Tom Meersman An emerging controversy over requiring labels for genetically engineered food arrived at the State Capitol on Thursday. A few dozen proponents wearing green “Label GMOs” stickers listened to...
The New York Times by Steven Greenhouse IMMOKALEE, Fla. — Not long ago, Angelina Velasquez trudged to a parking lot at 5 each morning so a crew leader’s bus could drop her at the tomato fields by 6. She often waited there, unpaid — while the dew dried —...
Protester and Political Director at OCA Alexis Baden-Mayer is removed by police from the NOSB meeting on April 29, 2014 in San Antonio. She and several other protesters chanted, “Don’t change sunset!”
Mark Kastel, Codirector and Senior Farm Policy Analyst at The Cornucopia Institute, gives testimony at the spring NOSB meeting.
Last update: 12:47 p.m., May 2 Join the Cornucopia Institute as we live tweet from the National Organic Standards Board meeting in San Antonio, Texas. We will be sharing the play by play with our Twitter followers under #NOSB or simply follow our stream. If you’re not already following...
Rodale News by Leah Zerbe You probably wouldn’t knowingly eat a substance known to induce death in human cells. But that’s what millions of people are doing every day, even when they’re enjoying foods with “natural” on the label. Norwegian scientists just published a new study that will appear in the...
The National Organic Coalition The National Organic Coalition has released a letter from Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) that articulates their concerns about recent changes to the “Sunset” policy enacted by the USDA concerning the organic program’s policies on synthetic and non-organic materials used in...
The Call of the Land by Steven McFadden “Something is happening at this point in history,” Katherine Kelly said as she brought to conclusion an April 17 lecture by international environmental activist Dr. Vandana Shiva. “We are at a point in time where we can make an important change. Dr....
“Undermining Congressional Protections” Results in Threats of Lawsuits and Protests SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS: When the organic industry gathers in this central Texas city next week sparks are predicted to fly when farmers and consumer activists face off with government regulators who they have accused of a “power grab,” significantly...
The Cornucopia Institute has submitted its formal comments to the USDA’s National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) for consideration at the Spring meeting of the NOSB. This diverse 15-member body was established by Congress to review policy and materials used in organic agriculture and food. They meet twice a year,...
Corporate “natural” definitions vary widely. Generally, “natural” means the absence of artificial ingredients, commonly referencing preservatives. However “natural” does not signify that the ingredients are grown and processed in ways that avoid such “unnatural” inputs as synthetic pesticides and genetically engineered organisms. Various companies’ definitions of “natural” highlight its...
The Cornucopia Institute, through research and investigations on agriculture and food issues, provides needed information to family farmers, consumers and other stakeholders in the good food movement and to the media.
