Scotland to ban GM crop growing

[inanna]

Source: BBC

31 minutes ago

Scotland is to ban the growing of genetically modified crops, the country's rural affairs secretary has announced.

Richard Lochhead said the Scottish government was not prepared to "gamble" with the future of Scotland's £14bn food and drink sector.


<snip>

Mr Lochhead added: "There is no evidence of significant demand for GM products by Scottish consumers and I am concerned that allowing GM crops to be grown in Scotland would damage our clean and green brand, thereby gambling with the future of our £14bn food and drink sector.

"Scottish food and drink is valued at home and abroad for its natural, high quality which often attracts a premium price, and I have heard directly from food and drink producers in other countries that are ditching GM because of a consumer backlash."

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-33833958

[djean111]

1. Good for them!

[840high]

2. Very good.

[restorefreedom]

3. europe is ahead of us

in so many ways.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

4. I love Scotland

Scotland is great!

[inanna]

5. Never been to the UK

Sure would like to go.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

6. Scotland seems to be kinder to people than England

I think they still have free tuition for college students

[daleo]

11. They are basically social democrats

The Conserative Party fares poorly in Scotland.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

13. They only have 1 MP

[Thespian2]

7. The Scots have their minds

on straight...GMO, if they become the only foods, will be the death of us all...Thanks to the Scots who also told The Donald to piss off...

[skepticscott]

10. Based on what?

And do you deny that many people would die if all GMO crops were banned everywhere tomorrow?

[SoLeftIAmRight]

17. silly silly silly

you scrape the bottom

[skepticscott]

18. You seem to have about as much

actual evidence as most anti-GMOers. Only personal attacks with no substance.

Yes, privileged white American suburbanites who drive Volvos and shop at Whole Foods can afford the indulgence of overpriced organic foods without going hungry, but many people in the world are not so lucky. Many people would starve if drought resistant, pest resistant GMO crops were banned in their countries.

[PasadenaTrudy]

19. +1 n/t

[SoLeftIAmRight]

20. keep digging

eat your gmo's - be happy

[skepticscott]

21. I will, and will be one of many people who have done it without dying from it

All of them, in fact. Not one death can be attributed to consumption of GMO foods. But persist in your unfounded fear if it makes YOU feel happy and legitimate.

[SoLeftIAmRight]

22. life is subtle and complex

live or die are not the only options

[Adrahil]

24. so... ya got nothing?

I hate anti-science types on the right. It frustrates me so much that we have them on the left too.

And to be clear, glyphosate is an herbicide, NOT a GMO. If you have a problem with glyphosate, complain about glyphosate.

[SoLeftIAmRight]

27. Do you have anything???

what are three changes that should be made in the current agricultural methods?

Any of these?

We need a complete conversion of the agricultural systems.
It will not be fast, easy, or cheap.
The issue is too important to let corporations control make the decisions.


This is only the beginning – hope to spend the time to expand

Sustainable production – less input – co2 sequestration – no gmo's


Start with

Allan Savory – Ted Talk

http://www.ted.com/talks/allan_savory_how_to_green_the_world_s_deserts_and_reverse_climate_change

Then
Gabe Brown
Soil health

This talk is directed to farmers that have a anti-environmental bend – so less emphasis on environmental issues – when speaking to a more enlightened group his talk is less country twang and more science based

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=gabe+brown+soil+health&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=4145088DB3EF49DFB8CF4145088DB3EF49DFB8CF


Mike Hands – this is only a little info on this subject – see the full documentary

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=mike%20hands%20inga%20frontline&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq=mike%20hands%20inga%20frontline&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&mid=46F489526F819D99DF6E46F489526F819D99DF6E



People to start with

Allan Savory
Gabe Brown
Mike Hands
Michael White

Concepts to start with

monoculture
alley cropping
no-till
cover crops
mob grazing
soil health
local production
crop diversity
composting
green manure


Other issues

Is it wise to send our soil to feed livestock in other countries
where do farm subsidies go and it that where they should go
are big agri-businesses promoting a form of agri that is sustainable
where is the rain – where is the agriculture


Other resources





Much more to come

If you want more science try Dr. Jill Clapperton

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=gabe+brown+soil+health&form=HDRSC3&first=1#view=detail&mid=A0CCD0CA92DCF1C4A621A0CCD0CA92DCF1C4A621


The problems with big agri corps and their products

Michael White vs Monsanto –

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017282430


Mike Hands – more about inga

http://www.ingafoundation.org/mike-hands/




Ted Talk on neighbor gardens

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017281878



food variety

http://www.upworthy.com/we-used-to-have-307-kinds-of-corn-guess-how-many-are-left


4000 potato varieties

http://cipotato.org/potato/facts/




rice – 40,000 varieties

http://www.riceassociation.org.uk/content/1/10/varieties.html



Apples

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/04/heritage-apples-john-bunker-maine

[Adrahil]

28. That's all interesting. What's that got to do with GMOs?

FWIW, I love legacy and heirloom produce, particularly tomatoes. But I don;t see a single thing wrong with GMO's as a concept. WE are going to need high-yield, drought resistant crops in the future. We are going to need protein replacement crops. GMO's are one path to get those.

Science!

[PasadenaTrudy]

29. +1,000! n/t

[SoLeftIAmRight]

30. Science?

What is science?

First - The info I presented shows that increased yields and sustainable production is possible without gmo's.

The companies that promote gmo's are fucking evil - do you like Monsanto?

[Adrahil]

31. Again, Monsanto is beside the point.

I'm not a fan of Monsanto and glyphosate everywhere. But saying you disapprove of GMOs because of Monsanto is like saying you disapprove of movies because of Michael Bay.

There is nothing wrong with GMO's as a CONCEPT.

[SoLeftIAmRight]

32. As one who turns to science fiction for lighter reading...

i agree that as a concept - no problem

Reality is a different.

[rurallib]

8. Wonder if Great Britain is in the Europe version of the TPP

If so, this won't last long.

[jtuck004]

9. "There is no evidence of significant demand..."< Hello? First you have to force it on them. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

12. Civilized! Sane, responsible action from Scotland. Thank you. n/t

[foxface666]

14. this

is a terrible decision.

[Nihil]

26. that

is a terrible reply.

[PatSeg]

15. That's great news

I'm surprised this thread hasn't been hijacked by the professional GMO lovers yet!

[candelista]

16. Arable land in Scotland (in red)

http://www.macaulay.ac.uk/explorescotland/lca-arable.html

[T_i_B]

25. I have to admit....

....that my 1st thought on hearing this news was to wonder if genetic modification can be used to grow more crops on more land in Scotland.