CUJ has joined other NGOs from around the world for the 6th Meeting of Parties (MOP6) of the Convention of Biological Diversity. The United Nations conference is held in Hyderabad, India October 1-5, 2012. Just over 2 years ago, everyone met in Nagoya for the MOP5, as negotiators finalized the Nagoya – Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress, the important legal instrument to deal with damage due to genetically modified organisms (GMO). Official website: COP/MOP6 Biodiversity Policy & Practice September 30, 2012 Proposals for Japan to Introduce a National Legislation Regarding the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol: A Call for Action on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological…
Japan Resources No 156
CUJ JR 156 (pdf) Japan Resources No 156 Summer (another hot one!) is just about to turn to autumn, with a change of mood as well as physical comfort. We all go through all kinds of changes. Here in Japan, we are in the middle of a remarkable debate about energy with massive protests throughout the summer against nuclear power. And it doesn’t seem like the country will ever return to its old, unsustainable ways. Meanwhile, the debates about food, farming and biodiversity issues are heating up. Good! Feel free to download the pdf file of Japan Resources No 156 and print it for your library. – Editors Contents: 210…
210 Supermarket Chains Do Not Want To Sell GM Papaya
A study by the No! GMO Campaign has revealed that Japan’s supermarket chains are refusing to sell genetically modified papaya. The No! GMO Campaign was set up in 1996 to stop genetically modified foods. 16 years later, there is no commercial GM farming in Japan. Consumers and civic groups are continuing the battle against imported GM foods. In December, 2011 the government approved GM papaya and soon, the American producers in Hawaii were promoting the expensive fruit at a trade fair near Tokyo, giving out slices as free samples. The No! GMO Campaign started an effort to investigate if the GM papaya from Hawaii was actually sold in Japan or…
Ramsar Convention Adopts Anti-GM Rice Resolution
At the 11th meeting of the Ramsar Convention for wetlands, a draft resolution was introduced that came dangerously close to open a back door to genetically modified rice. Rice paddy fields in many countries are supporting wildlife such as migratory birds and marine species. The use of pesticides have caused much damage to such sensitive ecosystems. Overuse also leads to resistance among the very pests the chemicals are designed to kill. Instead, traditional knowledge and local solutions should be encouraged to reduce the dangerous use of agrochemicals. After fierce debate and opposition from NGOs at the meeting in Bucharest, Romania, the text of the resolution was amended at the last…
Protect Life And Biological Diversity; Oppose Genetically Modified Food And TPP!
An Appeal from the NO! GMO Campaign in Japan As part of our participation in Collective Rice Action (CORA) 2012 June 1, 2012 Protect life and biological diversity; oppose genetically modified food and TPP! We are very concerned about the efforts by the government, business interests, and mass media to get Japan to join the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement*. We hold that globalization is robbing us of the safety of the food we need to live, while destroying the natural environment, expanding poverty, and creating a society with huge differences between rich and poor, with little hope for our future. TPP is going to make things even worse as…