GMW: 1600 sheep die after grazing in Bt cotton field/More Illnesses Linked to Bt Crops

[Guest guest]

Those of you who are grazing sheep and goats may want to look into this

report from the GM Watch people.

GM WATCH dailky

http://www.gmwatch.org

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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.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=6494

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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.

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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 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

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.