1.1600 sheep die after grazing in Bt cotton field
2.More Illnesses Linked to Bt Crops
for full details of the sheep study see: http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=6494
---
1.1600 sheep die after grazing in Bt cotton field
30 April 2006
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14194773
Hyderabad: Sixteen hundred sheep died in Warangal district after grazing in fields on which Bt cotton had been harvested.
A survey conducted by a seven member team of Centre for Sustainable agriculture working in Bt cotton issues revealed that about 1600 sheep died from Bt toxin near Ippagudem in Ghanapur mandal, Madipalli in Hasanparthi mandal and Unikicherla in Dharmasagar mandal in Warangal district.
The sheep started dying after continuously grazing on the leaves and pods of Bt cotton plant residues in the fields for seven days.
The symptoms did not correlate to any of the diseases occurred during the season, the study said.
The team urged the Government to carry out an exhaustive study of the impact of Bt toxin on livestock, a release said in Hyderabad.
---
2.GE Food Alert as More Illnesses Linked to Bt Crops
Monday, 1 May 2006
Press Release: GE free NZ in Food Environment Inc http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00006.htm
New data on illnesses caused by GE crops ( see references below) are a warning that applications for GE foods must be rejected by Foods Standards Austraila New Zealand Authority (FSANZ).
GE Free NZ (in food and environment) is concerned that new GE food applications keep flooding in whilst the evidence of harm is being ignored. Right now applications are being made for GE lucerne and high lysine soy for introduction as animal and human health foods.
"The evidence of harm shows it is time the approval of GE foods is stopped and the FSANZ must seek proper independent research into the health effects of GE foods," says Claire Bleakley of GE Free (NZ) in food and Environment.
Recent studies have found that ingestion of GE corn cause immune system reaction, diarohea and vomiting. Pollen from GE corn has caused severe allergic reactions in people living close to the fields. Workers picking GE cotton have suffered rashes and blisters, leaving black discolouration on the skin. Research by the Australian CSIRO on GE peas also revealed unexpected effects: food supposed to be harmless caused a severe lung reaction in mice.
"We are concerned that FSANZ is turning a blind eyes to the new evidence and relies almost solely on the data provided by the applicant companies," says Claire Bleakley. "As yet GMO foods approved for New Zealand are not being tracked or monitored for illegal varients, and nor are they labelled. There are absolutely no health studies on human safety being conducted by our food Authorities."
The complex risks being ignored by authorities were also revealed by the recent test of a bio-pharmaceutical drug which lead to life threatening reactions in volunteers and caused an organ shutdown. A previously-healthy New Zealander has lost his fingers and toes and remains in treatment months later.
"We need guarantees of safety. In the past FSANZ has not even been provided the full safety studies. Monsanto has refused to provide access to its materials and data to allow studies by independent scientists," says Ms. Bleakley.