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Controversial plans to relax the EU's zero-tolerance on GM food

According to the E.U.'s zero-tolerance policy any imported food of animal feed must be GMO free from the substances that have not been approved by the E.U. Council.

Currently only several varieties of GM soy, corn, cotton, potato, sugar beet, and canola (rape seed), are approved for planting and use in the E.U.

The EU plans for elimination of the zero-tolerance policy alarmed many environmentalist and GMO sceptics.  

There is a possibility for permitting import of animal feed that could contain traces of unauthorised GM crops.

Although GM supporters argue that it zero-tolerance policy could result with a shortage of feed for livestock and GM traces does not jeopardise food security, campaigners against GM food think that GM industry only wants to push its products and technology and by relaxing GM zero-tolerance policy they are opening it’s gates for imported GMO in EU.

The push for Europe to drop its zero-tolerance policy began in 2009 after EU authorities found traces of GM maize in soy shipments from the US and refused to allow its entry. Such recalls are expensive and those affected are unlikely to receive compensation, the Guardian published on 6th of February 2011.

 Written by Jasmina Nikoloska

Drought in Amazon raised severe concerns

It is unusual but sometimes happens for the rain forests to have no rain.

In 2005 the severe drought hit Amazon rain forest, the rivers level fell dramatically and according to the scientists these could happen ones in a century or so.

But an expectantly last year drought affected Amazon region in much larger area than in 2005, so the scientist are concern that these could become a pattern and that it is more than a coincides.

Although the cause is still unknown, it could be natural climatic variations and in the future we might see no more of these types of droughts, but the alternative is that it is associated with high concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, Dr. Simon Lewis explained for BBC News.

Rain forests like Amazon are natural absorbers of CO2 and by losing their ability and capacity to absorb; more greenhouse gases are ending in the atmosphere.

According to a research published in journal Science, in a typical year the forest absorbs 1.5 bn tonnes CO2, but in the 2005 the forest released 5 bn tonnes CO2, because of a dying trees. 

The real concern comes if we just compare the last year’s figures of released 8 bn tonnes from the forest and 5.4 bn tonnes CO2  produced by US  in 2009 by burning fossil fuels.

It is our duty to protect the forests by any cost.

Written by: Jasmina Nikoloska
Source: www.bbc.co.uk