The sale of glyphosate to non-professionals has been banned in Belgium. This ban went into effect on last Saturday. The sale of selective herbicides to non-professionals will be banned at the close of the year. A new study by Jonathan Giacomini and his former advisor, evolutionary ecologist Lynn Adler at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with others, found that eating sunflower pollen dramatically and consistently reduced a protozoan pathogen infection in bumble bees and reduced a microsporidian pathogen of the European honey bee, raising the possibility that sunflowers may provide a simple solution to improve the health of economically and ecologically important pollinators. A new study shows the CRISPR gene, a DNA-cutting enzyme used for genetic modification, can create large deletions and shuffle genes. This comes on the heels on the European Court of Justice’s ruling requiring organisms developed using new genetic engineering techniques to undergo GMO risk assessments, and several new studies revealing “genetic havoc” as a result of gene editing, Friends of the Earth and Logos Environmental released a new report that highlights the risks to human health and our environment. The fields and back roads of eastern Arkansas were a crime scene this past summer when state inspectors stopped alongside fields to pick up dying weeds. The state inspectors tested the liquids in farmers’ pesticide sprayers and in many cases, they found evidence that farmers were using a banned pesticide. Also in the news, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue praised the Department of Justice’s decision to request a rehearing of a pesticide case before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The Santa Rosa City Council banned the use of synthetic weed-killers like Roundup at dozens of parks, buildings, and medians around town. The Council’s decision came on a unanimous vote — with Mayor Chris Coursey absent and low audience turnout — to approve a one-year extension of the contract with a company that has provided city landscape maintenance services since 2014. A former ag biotech insider wants his GMO crops pulled over concerns of human health dangers.

Glyphosate sales to non-professionals banned in Belgium

The Belgian government has published its long-promised ban on the sale of broad-spectrum herbicides (such as glyphosate) to non-professional users. The ban will enter into force on Saturday 6 October 2018. The sale of selective herbicides to non-professionals will be banned as of 31 December 2018.

Bees’ Medicine Chest Should Include Sunflower Pollen, UMass Amherst Study Suggests

A new study by Jonathan Giacomini and his former advisor, evolutionary ecologist Lynn Adler at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with others, found that eating sunflower pollen dramatically and consistently reduced a protozoan pathogen infection in bumble bees and reduced a microsporidian pathogen of the European honey bee, raising the possibility that sunflowers may provide a simple solution to improve the health of economically and ecologically important pollinators.

CRISPR gene editing produces unwanted DNA deletions

DNA-cutting enzyme used for genetic modification can create large deletions and shuffle genes.

Despite A Ban, Arkansas Farmers Are Still Spraying Controversial Weedkiller

The fields and back roads of eastern Arkansas were a crime scene this past summer. State inspectors stopped alongside fields to pick up dying weeds. They tested the liquids in farmers’ pesticide sprayers. In many cases, they found evidence that farmers were using a banned pesticide. Dozens of farmers could face thousands of dollars in fines.

Secretary Perdue Statement on DOJ Filing in 9th Circuit Chlorpyrifos Ruling

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue praised the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) decision to request a rehearing of a pesticide case before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. DOJ has asked for a panel rehearing and a rehearing en banc in a case in which the court directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban chlorpyrifos, a common and useful pesticide, within 60 days.

New Gene-Editing Report Highlights Risks to Human Health and Our Environment

On the heels on the European Court of Justice’s ruling requiring organisms developed using new genetic engineering techniques to undergo GMO risk assessments, and several new studies revealing “genetic havoc” as a result of gene editing, Friends of the Earth and Logos Environmental released a new report, Gene-edited organisms in agriculture: Risks and unexpected consequences.

Santa Rosa bans use of Roundup at city parks

The Santa Rosa City Council banned the use of synthetic weed-killers like Roundup at dozens of parks, buildings and medians around town. The decision came on a unanimous vote — with Mayor Chris Coursey absent and barely any audience in the council chambers — to approve a one-year extension of the contract with a company that has provided city landscape maintenance services since 2014.