The plum blossoms are in full bloom in Waseda, Tokyo this week, and we are enjoying warm weather after the winter chill with snowfall. Here is our English newsletter. We have been busy together with groups in other countries to oppose the introduction of genetically modified wheat, and our survey shows that no Japanese wheat importers are interested in GM wheat. We also take a moment to remember Urano Hisako, who passed away in December 2009.
Feel free to download the pdf file and print it for your library.
– Editors
Contents:
Press Release: GM Wheat
Survey: Japan’s Wheat Importers Reject GMO
World Social Forum 2010
In Memory Of Urano Hisako
GM Rice And Contamination Cases
New GMO Food Additives
“Only good things will come from the clean water that flows in the stream, when only good things are put into the water…”
Notes from a lecture by Mr. Uozumi Michio, Japan Organic Agriculture Association, on December 9, 2009 as part of Consumers Union of Japan’s seminar series about safe living, connecting food and agriculture with our daily lives.
Uozumi Michio, JOAA
Uozumi-san emphasized that humus is the most important organic material for livings things: “Let us create a movement to promote deep connections and affiliations with strong links between organic farmers, fishermen, forest workers, and consumers!”
Japanese people have had many historical experiences such as Ashio mining pollution, Minamata disease (methyl mercury) and serious health damage since the Meiji era. We should study and understand that the most important thing for the people is to preserve the natural environment of the forest, farm fields, rivers and the sea.
Uozumi-san pointed out that it is emphasized by the nuclear power industry that nuclear reactors do not discharge CO2, but the technology for proper disposal of nuclear waste has still not been developed. Nuclear power plants contribute to global warming by discharging heated water into the environment.
Fulvic acid-Fe can increase phytoplankton and sea weeds by river mouths and along coasts. Fulvic acid-Fe -rich humus can protect the marine ecosystem and enrich fishing grounds.
Chemical fertilizer ingredients (N, P, K) are easily carried away from conventional rice fields, because the soil cannot preserve them. The chemical ingredients are delivered to rivers, ponds, lakes and the sea, and are also accumulating in the groundwater. Said Uozumi-san: “It is necessary to convert to organic agriculture.” Continue reading Organic Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Project Based On Humus→
GM Wheat rejected by 233 Consumer, Farmer Groups in 26 Countries
Embargoed to February 9, 2010
Ottawa, Montreal, Washington, Tokyo, Sydney: 233 consumer and farmer groups in 26 countries have joined the “Definitive Global Rejection of GM Wheat” statement to stop the commercialization of genetically modified (GM) wheat and remind the biotechnology corporation Monsanto that genetically modifying this major crop is not acceptable to farmers or consumers. (1)
The 233 groups signed the rejection statement first launched by 15 Australian, Canadian and U.S. farmer and consumer groups in June 2009.
