Speaker Finalist TEDxWageningen

I’ve applied as a speaker at TEDxWageningen later this year, 30 May. I’ve been short-listed as a finalist but not yet selected. As part of the application process they’ve asked us all to submit a 1-2 minute video promoting ourselves, and giving a glimpse into what we might talk about. You can view my competition on their YouTube channel, and my submission is embedded below.

Wageningen is the main agricultural university in the Netherlands.

Ban MON810 in Poland

Poland, a country that’s sometimes, mostly, GMO free is encountering more political problems.  The only legal GMO corn variety in Europe, Monsanto’s Bt MON810 is currently legal in Poland.

The good news is the Agricultural Minister promised to ban this variety like 9 other EU countries have already done.  The bad news is his statement also included the condition ‘this would only be possible with the permission of the European Commission’.

What a load of rubbish!

Not only is there no one in particular to ask such permission from in the EU, or anyone likely to give it, but it’s not necessary.  Poland is a sovereign country and can pass it’s own laws without EU approval.  Do we need to remind the Polish minister that the ban in France was overturned by the courts, and so the ban in Poland should avoid the issues that led to this?

Please write Mr Marek Sawicki, the Polish Minister of Agriculture, and let him know what you think!

marek.sawicki@minrol.gov.pl
tel.: +48 226231510; fax: +48 226231788

Please also send a copy to ICPPC – International Coalition to Protect the Polish Countryside, who are coordinating this campaign.  Contact information is on their website.

More Amsterdam Seed Exchange Videos

The first is a photo montage of the seed exchange put together by the same person who did the video in my last post. This is a great example of ‘citizen journalism’ — thanks for whoever made these videos!

The second video here is of the day following the seed exchange, where some people got together and started a garden on an empty construction site in Amsterdam.