The Agbiotech Bulletin Volume 3, Issue 6, June, 1995 Code Number:NL95024 Sizes of Files: Text: 50K No associated graphics Minding theStore: Regulating Agbiotech Agriculture and food regulators are oftenthe 'man in the middle' castigated by interest groups for being toolenient and harangued by industry for being too slow and demanding. Butover the years of minding the store, the regulatory system hasdefinitely 'produced the goods'. News PGS International AnnouncesCanadian Canola Approvals Plant Genetic Systems (PGS) International hasannounced that its new hybrid canola varieties have receivedenvironmental and feed safety clearance from Agriculture and Agri-FoodCanada. This approval follows last year's clearance of the variety byHealth Canada. Novel Beef-Breeding Strategy Explored at Brandon BiotechDevelopments at Guelph Artificial 'seeds' are being developed for the$500 million dollar herb industry in North America by University ofGuelph researchers. New Ethanol Facilities Opening A 50 million litreper year ethanol plant will be built in Cornwall, Ontario by SeawayValley Farmers Energy Co-op. Canada To Aid Rwandan ResearchReconstruction Canada's International Development Research Centre(IDRC) has launched a two-year, $500,000 project to assist the nationalreconstruction of Rwanda in the wake of civil war. Fast PlantsDeveloped A Brassica rapa variety developed by interbreeding the'fastest' species of Brassica accessions in the USDA's NationalGermplasm System flowers in 14 days and completes seed production in 35days. Delay on rbST Ends on Canada Day The one year voluntary delay onthe sale of rbST in Canada ends on July 1 of this year, however, saleof the recombinant cattle hormone will not commence unless the producthas been given official Notice of Compliance by Health Canada by thatdate. Biotech Institute Launched in Singapore The newly-establishedInstitute of Molecular Agrobiology (IMA) in Singapore is intended as afocal point for world-class research at the genetic and molecularlevels. Events Public Expectation and the Corporate Sector BiotechCommercialization in Developing Countries. American Plant PhysiologistsAnnual Meeting Engineering Plants for Commercial Products AgBiotechInternational Conference (ABIC) in Saskatoon 4TH InternationalConference on Plant Genetic Resources Trends The Research University inthe 21st Century Fundamental changes in the nature of world society,such as the end of the cold war, are redirecting the course ofuniversities, according to Paul Schimmel of the Massachusetts Instituteof Technology. Alliances Canada-Latin American Initiative on BiotechTake Some Canola and Call Me in the Morning Tech Transfer AgCanadaExpanding TechTransfer Activities New Environment for Research SupportAgricultural research today is subject to a new set of ground rules.More Business Savvy Needed The stronger market orientation ofagricultural research today necessitates that scientists develop morebusiness savvy, says Yassa. 'Scientists must learn to function in amarket-driven economy. They have to understand current businessprinciples and problems.' Plant Transformation by Gene Transfer intoPollen British Technology Group (BTG) USA is entertaining discussionswith regard to the licensing of a technology that allows for theproduction of transformed plants from seeds that have been produced bypollination using transformed pollen. Finance Saskatchewan BacksR&D Initiatives Saskatchewan's economic development strategy isplacing renewed emphasis on R&D initiatives, includingbiotechnology. Western Economic Development Initiatives A number ofinitiatives of interest to the biotech sector have emerged from the newapproach to economic development in the West announced by WesternDevelopment (WD) Minister Lloyd Axworthy in response to the recentfederal budget. Royal Facilitates Exporter's Collection Process Aneasy-to-use service provided by the Royal Bank helps Canadian exportersprepare direct collection orders. Foreign Affairs Launches ElectronicTrade Service The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Tradehas initiated a BBS project. New Contracting Process at CIDA TheCanadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has established a newprocess aimed at allowing more Canadians an opportunity to apply forcontracts involving international development activities. Issues IssuesAround Patents Assessed People, Plants and Patents is a new book on theimpact of intellectual property on trade, plant biodiversity and ruralsociety. Attitudes Consultation on Biotechnology Proposed A majorprocess of public consultation on biotechnology has been proposed by astakeholders group convened by the federal government'sinterdepartmental working group on biotechnology. Industry NeedsStrategy to Boost Acceptance of Biotech Canadians are generally unawareof biotechnology, according to Rick Walter of the Canadian Institute ofBiotechnology. Legal Notes Plant Protection Regulations AmendedAmendments being proposed for regulations under the federal PlantProtection Act would affect the import and export of biologicals,seeds, plants, grain and pests, among other products. Brown Bag SalesClarified by US Court A recent US Supreme Court decision (Asgrow vs.Winterboer) will be of interest to plant breeders. European PatentDevelopments The European Parliament voted in March against a directivewhich would have allowed the patenting of genetically-alteredorganisms, according to a report in SeedTrade News. Resources BiotechEducational Materials Available Canadian Ed Centres in Asia Nearly100,000 foreign students the majority from Asia choose to study inCanada each year. They contribute $3 billion to the Canadian economyand help to generate some 19,000 jobs within Canada. Report of the rBSTTask Force The Review of the Potential Impact of Recombinant BovineSomatatropin in Canada has been completed and is available for review.Biotech & Plant Cultures Reviewed Biotechnological Applications ofPlant Cultures is a new publication which presents the most updatedreviews on current techniques in plant cultures. Getting Ready to GoGlobal The Management Development Initiative (MDI) is part of GettingReady to Go Global, a campaign to improve the competitiveness ofCanadian food and beverage processors in domestic and export markets.Evaluating Traditional Environmental Knowledge The book CapturingTraditional Environmental Knowledge is a product of an unusual workshopheld in the Northwest Territories. People Watch Copyright 1995Agbiotech Bulletins
