Whether it is true or not, sources are saying that the U.S. has been working towards reducing the amount of genetically modified food products that it allows into the country. For now, the U.S.D.A. and its Office of Inspector General are attempting to balance their needs for foreign trade with the needs of the “health and safety”of Americans. One report, urges the USDA to strengthen its links with countries where research is exploding, such as China, India and Brazil. China, for example, is ready to launch the world’s first commercial GM rice, but it has yet to be approved by the USDA. Problems will arise, says the OIG, when new GM products enter the US undeclared – the USDA would be unprepared to test or even identify them.
Meanwhile, The New York Times came out with an article just last week claiming that big GMO businesses continue to be a barrier to academic research of the organisms.
-Serena
The most exciting food-world news of the past 48 hours? Kathleen Merrigan has been named as Deputy Secretary of the U.S.D.A. This position is second only to Tom Vilsack’s and will be the post to pick-up practically all of the issues that he cannot” and then some. Extremely accomplished in her support of alternative agriculture, Merrigan is the Director of Tufts University’s Agriculture, Food and Environment M.S. and Ph.D. Programs. She has been involved with the U.S.D.A. since former President Clinton’s time and shows no sign of loosening her motivated and inspiring reigns now.
