Limited Release of GM Cotton in Australia

Australia's Department of Health and Ageing Office of the Gene Technology Regulator has issued a license to Monsanto Australia Limited for the limited and controlled release of up to 504 cotton lines genetically modified (GM) for enhanced water use efficiency. Field trials will be done at 20 local government areas in New South Wales and Wyndham-East Kimberly covering a maximum total area of 80 hectares from 2008-10.

The executive summary, technical summary and complete finalized Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP), together with a set of Questions and Answers on this decision and a copy of the license, can be obtained online from http://www.ogtr.gov.au.

FAO: Increase Farm Production to End Food Crisis

Increased agricultural production is the way out of the global food crisis. This was underscored by Food and Agriculture Organization Director General Jacques Diouf during a joint hearing on the impact of higher food prices on food security by the Foreign and Agricultural Committees of Italy's Senate and Chamber of Deputies.

FAO is working with the G8, an international forum representing member countries, and the international community to set-up a Global Partnership on Food and Agriculture. It already made preliminary contact with Italian authorities on creating a world network of food and agriculture experts in order to assess future needs and risks. "We are facing a challenge of enormous proportions," Diouf said. With Italy as President of the G8 in 2009, Italy is expected to bear "a historic responsibility".

Diouf said that the FAO's Food Price Index increased by 12 percent between 2005 and 2006, by 24 percent in 2007 and by some 50 percent up to July 2008. He added that the world's poorest countries would be at continued risk as prices were likely to stay high for several years. Prior to price increases in 2007-2008, there were 850 million malnourished people in the world. The figure increased by 75 million immediately after.

View the FAO press release at http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2008/1000922/index.html

28 Produk Makanan Ditarik, Akan diteliti apakah ada kandungan melamin.

JAKARTA -- Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan kemarin memerintahkan penarikan 28 jenis makanan berbagai merek karena menggunakan bahan baku susu asal Cina. Langkah pengamanan ini dilakukan berkaitan dengan kasus ditambahkannya melamin pada susu formula untuk bayi di negeri itu.

"Larangan itu mulai berlaku hari ini (kemarin)," kata Kepala Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan Husniah Rubiana Thamrin setelah rapat dengar pendapat dengan Komisi Agama, Sosial, dan Pemberdayaan Perempuan Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat di Jakarta kemarin.

Makanan yang dilarang beredar itu bermacam-macam, dari es krim, susu, sampai wafer dan permen. Di Cina, produk susu tercemar itu menyebabkan empat bayi tewas dan 53 ribu lainnya sakit. Sebanyak 12 ribu lebih bayi mulai sembuh setelah dirawat di rumah sakit. Sedangkan 104 bayi lainnya kini masih dirawat karena gangguan pada ginjal.

Menurut Husniah, produk makanan dan minuman berkandungan susu asal Cina itu akan diteliti di laboratorium. Dia memastikan tak ada susu buatan Cina untuk bayi yang beredar di Indonesia . Susu impor dari Cina yang beredar di Indonesia hanya untuk konsumsi orang dewasa. "Susunya tidak mengandung melamin," katanya. Tapi produk ini ikut disegel.

Menurut Kepala Pusat Komunikasi Publik Sekretariat Jenderal Departemen Kesehatan Lily Sulistyowati, susu buatan Cina untuk orang dewasa itu, Guozhen, punya izin edar. "Itu pun susu krim," kata Lily kepada Tempo semalam. Tidak tertutup kemungkinan susu Cina tak punya izin edar, masuk dengan cara diselundupkan.

Sebagai langkah antisipasi, Badan POM telah mengirimkan surat kepada Asosiasi Peretail Indonesia untuk mengambil langkah pengamanan. "Bentuknya menarik dan menyegel susu dan produk yang menggunakan susu asal Cina untuk dilaporkan ke Badan POM," kata Lily. Produk yang akan diteliti itu terdiri atas 28 jenis.

Badan POM, menurut dia, mulai hari ini akan meneliti apakah produk tersebut terbukti mengandung melamin. Kapan hasil penelitian itu akan diumumkan, Lily mengatakan tak bisa menjawab. "Kewenangan itu ada di Badan POM," katanya.

Asosiasi Pengusaha Retail Indonesia (Aprindo) akan menghentikan distribusi produk yang mengandung susu asal Cina. "Tanpa tunggu apa-apa lagi, langsung kami patuhi dan segera hentikan," kata Sekretaris Jenderal Aprindo Tutum Rahanta.

Dia mengatakan pihaknya tak mau mengambil risiko dengan tetap mengedarkan produk-produk yang diduga berbahaya. Namun, Tutum belum memastikan kapan langkah penghentian peredaran itu dilakukan karena dia belum melihat surat permintaan dari Badan POM. Informasi soal susu Cina yang akan ditarik itu baru diperoleh dari Departemen Perdagangan kemarin siang.

Ketua Gabungan Pengusaha Makanan dan Minuman Indonesia Thomas Darmawan mengimbau agar pemerintah berhati-hati terkait dengan rencana penarikan susu Cina dan produk turunannya yang diduga membahayakan. "Harus benar-benar berdasarkan penelitian dengan prinsip kehati-hatian," katanya.

Menurut dia, tidak semua produk Cina di Indonesia, termasuk 28 item yang akan ditarik dari distribusinya, mengandung melamin yang membahayakan. Dengan pengumuman rencana penarikan, produk lain yang berbau Cina pun bisa kena imbasnya. "Ujung-ujungnya merugikan peretail kecil dan industri," katanya. "Apalagi kita tidak impor susu dari Cina, tapi dari Australia ." CORNILA DESYANA | HARUN MAHBUB

Setitik Melamin di Susu Cina

Heboh susu mengandung melamin di Cina, yang menyebabkan 53 ribu bayi sakit ginjal, akhirnya sampai juga ke Indonesia . Senin lalu, 22 September, Menteri Kesehatan Siti Fadilah Supari menarik susu bubuk merek Guozhen produksi Cina. Sehari kemudian, Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan mengeluarkan surat edaran agar Asosiasi Peretail Indonesia mengamankan 28 jenis makanan yang mengandung susu asal Cina.

KRONOLOGI:

Desember 2007: Perusahaan susu Sanlu Group, Cina, menerima keluhan produk mereka membuat bayi sakit.

Juni 2008: Sanlu menemukan susu bubuknya mengandung melamin.

30 Juni 2008: Lima bayi di Hunan sakit batu ginjal karena susu Sanlu.

11 September 2008: Sanlu, yang sahamnya dikuasai Fonterra, Selandia Baru, menarik 700 ton susu formula.

21 September 2008: Departemen Kesehatan Cina mengumumkan 53 ribu bayi sakit dan empat meninggal karena susu beracun itu.

22 September 2008: Departemen Kesehatan RI menarik susu Guozhen produksi Cina.

23 September 2008: Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan mengumumkan 28 jenis makanan yang mengandung susu asal Cina.

APAKAH MELAMIN ITU

Melamin adalah bahan kimia berbasis organikyang banyak ditemukan dalam bentuk kristal putihdalam nitrogen. Biasanya digunakan sebagai bahan campuran plastik dan pupuk. Melamintak punya nilai nutrisi, tapi kaya nitrogen, sehingga bila dicampur dengan susu akan membuat kadar protein susu seolah lebih tinggi ketimbang aslinya.

Produk yang ditarik dari peredaran:

1. Jinwel Yougoo Susu Fermentasi Rasa Jeruk

2. Jinwel Yougoo Aneka Buah

3. Jinwel Yougoo tanpa Rasa

4. Guozhen susu bubuk full cream

5. Meiji Indoeskrim Gold Monas Rasa Cokelat

6. Meiji Indoeskrim Gold Monas Rasa Vanila

7. Oreo Stick Wafer

8. Oreo Stick Wafer (disebut dua kali, karena ukuran berbeda)

9. Oreo Cokelat Sandwich Cookies

10. M&M’s Kembang Gula Cokelat Susu

11. M&M’s Cokelat Susu

12. Snicker’s (biskuit-nougat lapis cokelat)

13. Dove Choc Kembang Gula Cokelat

14. Dove Choc

15. Dove Choc (disebut dua kali, karena ukuran berbeda)

16. Natural Choice Yoghurt Flavoured Ice Bar

17. Yili Bean Club Matcha Red Bean Ice Bar

18. Yili Bean Club Red Bean Ice Bar

19. Yili Prestige Chocliz

20. Yili Chestnut Ice Bar

21. Nestle Dairy Farm UHT Pure Milk

22. Yili High Calcium Low Fat Milk Beverage

23. Yili High Calcium Milk Beverage

24. Yili Pure Milk 205 ml

25. Yili Pure Milk 1 L

26. Dutch Lady Strawberry Flavoured Milk

27. White Rabbit Creamy Candy

28. Yili Choice Dairy Frozen Yoghurt Bar (kembang gula)

SUMBER: PUSAT KOMUNIKASI PUBLIK SEKRETARIAT JENDERAL DEPARTEMEN KESEHATAN RI

http://www.korantempo.com

Postdoctoral Fellow:ALUF-supported project

IRRI is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join its staff at headquarters in the Philippines. This annual, renewable position is funded by the project: Engineering Rice for High Beta-Carotene, Vitamin E, and Enhanced Fe and Zn Bioavailability. The position will be supervised by plant biotechnology scientists in IRRI’s Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology Division.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will join IRRI’s research program on Rice and Human Health: Overcoming the Consequence of Poverty. An international, multi-disciplinary team is involved in the development and dissemination of nutritionally enhanced rice in Asia and Africa. Within this context, the postdoctoral fellow will work to improve nutritional characteristics of rice varieties with the major target being to understand the roles of different iron homeostasis genes in iron accumulation.

The successful candidate will 1) study biochemical pathway related to iron accumulation in the rice grain, 2) design and construct the plant transformation vectors for expression of candidate genes in rice, 3) conduct molecular analysis and biochemical analysis of the gene expression in transgenic rice, and 4) interact with scientists working on different aspects of human nutrition improvement using rice.

Qualifications

Candidates should have 1) a PhD in molecular biology, biochemist, or related fields; 2) experience in vector design and construction; 3) understanding of plant biochemistry; 4) proven ability to perform in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment; and 5) excellent interpersonal skills.

Perquisites and IRRI environment
The position is located at IRRI headquarters at Los Baños, 70 kilometers south of Manila, Philippines. IRRI offers salary and perquisites that are internationally competitive, including support for education of children, transport allowance, and medical benefits. IRRI provides a gender-sensitive environment and welcomes women applicants. Citizens of developing countries, particularly rice-producing countries, are encouraged to apply. The Institute is committed to assisting families in making personal and, to the extent possible, professional adjustments to the local environment. IRRI has an accredited international school and preparatory school for younger children within the headquarters compound.

Applications

Applicants should send via email a comprehensive curriculum vitae and names and email addresses of three referees to:

Ms. Selene M. Ocampo
Officer-HR Coordination
International Rice Research Institute

Global food situation at a crossroads : World can avert major problems but must act now

Los Baños, Philippines – Declining agricultural productivity and continued growing demand have brought the world food situation to a crossroads. Failure to act now through a wholesale reinvestment in agriculture—including research into improved technologies, infrastructure development, and training and education of agricultural scientists and trainers—could lead to a long-term crisis that makes the price spikes of 2008 seem a mere blip.

This stark warning, in line with calls from organizations such as the World Bank, the World Food Program, and Asian Development Bank (ADB), was issued by members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) following their meeting on 16-19 September at Institute headquarters in Los Baños, Philippines.

The global community needs to remember two key things,” said BOT Chair Elizabeth Woods. “First, that growth in agricultural productivity is the only way to ensure that people have access to enough affordable food. Second, that achieving this is a long-term effort. A year or two of extra funding for agricultural research is not enough. To ensure that improved technologies flow from the research and development pipeline, a sustained re-investment in agriculture is crucial.”

Dr. Woods pointed out that the annual rice yield growth rate has dropped to less than 1% in recent years, compared with 2–3% during the Green Revolution period of 1967-90. Based on projected income and population growth, annual productivity growth of almost 1.5% will be needed at least until 2020.

The meeting coincided with the release of a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations stating that higher food prices are partly to blame for the number of hungry people growing by 75 million to around 925 million worldwide—and further jeopardizing the UN Millennium Development Goal of halving hunger and poverty by 2015.

Another report, released this week by the ADB, argued that, for Asian countries to prevent future food price surges, agriculture needs wide-scale structural reform. This report also warned that, with demand remaining higher than supply, any supply shock would further increase cereal prices.

An ADB report released in August increased the cut-off level for poverty from US$1 per day to $1.35 per day, meaning that millions more people are trapped in poverty than previously thought. Disturbingly, the new measure does not take into account the higher food and fuel prices of 2008, which, according to some estimates, have plunged a further 100 million people below the poverty line. Although the export price of rice has settled from more than $1,000 per ton in May to around $700 per ton, it is still double the price of one year ago.

The current crisis serves as a timely wakeup call for governments, multilateral organizations, and donors to refocus on agriculture. Various national and international bodies have called for a second Green Revolution to feed the world in the face of a growing population and shrinking land base for agricultural uses.

Unlike the first Green Revolution, in which productivity growth was achieved with the introduction of modern varieties in tandem with assured irrigation and inputs (such as fertilizer), and guaranteed prices, the second Green Revolution needs to achieve the same goal in the face of several 21st-century challenges. These challenges include water and land scarcity, environmental degradation, skyrocketing input prices, and globalized marketplaces, all within the context of global climate change.

In short, the second Green Revolution will have to expand productivity sustainably, with fewer resources.

Source : IRRI

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

ANSI oversees the creation, promulgation and use of thousands of norms and guidelines that directly impact businesses in nearly every sector:
from semiconductor devices to pharmaceuticals, from dairy and livestock production to chemical manufacturing, and many more. ANSI is also actively engaged in accrediting programs that assess conformance to standards including globally-recognized cross-sector programs such as the ISO 9000 (quality) and ISO 14000 environmental management systems. Find out more at www.webstore.ansi.org.

BPPT Biakkan Plankton untuk Menyerap Karbondioksida

JAKARTA, RABU — Badan Pengkajian dan Penerapan Teknologi (BPPT) mulai melakukan riset fotobioreaktor yang menggunakan plankton untuk menyerap karbon (CO2) dari udara. Teknologi tersebut akan dipakai sebagai upaya pengurangan gas rumah kaca (GRK) yang menjadi biang pemanasan global.

"Plankton mampu menyerap karbon, karena itu kita perlu membudidayakan plankton," kata Direktur Pusat Teknologi Lingkungan BPPT Kardono PhD seusai seminar "Perubahan Iklim (Global Warming): Isu Internasional, Kebijakan Pemerintah Indonesia dan Peran BPPT" di Jakarta, Selasa (19/8).

Plankton, katanya, selain menyerap karbon juga bisa dibudidayakan menjadi bahan bakar nabati (biofuel) dengan memasukkannya ke dalam cerobong asap pabrik, tempat pembuangan karbon. Setelah jenuh CO2, plankton tersebut dipanen. Ia menambahkan, uji coba plankton sebagai penyerap karbon di dunia masih dalam skala riset di laboratorium, tapi Jerman sudah melakukan riset skala pilot project.

BPPT juga sedang membuat neraca GRK dengan mencari dan membuat metode penghitungan penyerapan karbon, baik oleh hutan maupun laut. Dengan ini dapat dihitung berapa emisi udara yang dikeluarkan secara total nasional dan berapa yang diserap oleh sumber daya nasional yang ada.

"Kita hitung juga dari sektor energi, dari transportasi, industri, pertanian, dan limbah. Ini penting untuk hitung-hitungan skema Mekanisme Pembangunan Bersih (CDM) dan REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) yang disetujui dalam Bali Roadmap, dana adaptasi, dan alih teknologi," katanya.

Namun, elaborasi dari Bali Roadmap masih akan dibahas pada Conference of Parties (COP) ke-14 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) di Polandia, sedangkan perjanjian perubahan iklim pasca-2012 masih akan dilakukan di COP ke-15 di Denmark pada 2009.

Plt Kepala BPPT Wahono Sumaryono dalam pidato kuncinya mengatakan, dari penelitian yang dilakukan di beberapa lokasi, kenaikan muka air laut Indonesia sudah mencapai 8 mm per tahun. Bila upaya pengurangan emisi gas rumah kaca tidak dilakukan, diperkirakan kenaikan muka air laut bisa mencapai 60 cm pada tahun 2070.

"Indonesia perlu membuat analisis komprehensif dan rinci soal kebutuhan teknologi yang mempunyai potensi besar menurunkan emisi CO2 dan dalam adaptasi terhadap dampak perubahan iklim karena Indonesia merupakan negara kepulauan dan memiliki daerah pantai yang panjang yang rentan perubahan iklim dan harus diprioritaskan UNFCCC," katanya.

WAH
Sumber : Antara
www.kompas.com