Large Knowledge Gap In Nanoagriculture

(Beyond Pesticides, June 8, 2011) In an article published by the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, scientists at the University of Texas, El Paso and a co-investigator for the NSF/EPA University of California Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology warned that, as a new era of nanoagriculture is about to start, very little is known about it from a human and environmental health standpoint. The findings are published in an article entitled “Interaction of Nanoparticles with Edible Plants and Their Possible Implications in the Food Chain.”

Nanoagriculture is the use of nanotechnology to boost the productivity of plants, primarily for food or fuel. The researchers, led by Jorge Gardea-Torresdey, PhD, set out to better understand whether certain plants take up and accumulate nanoparticles, and if so whether this interaction poses problems for the plants–and the animals that eat those plants. The particles also could end up in the environment, settling in the soil, especially as fertilizers, growth enhancers and other nanoagricultural products hit the market. Some plants can take-up and accumulate nanoparticles.

full indepth Article – http://www.beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/?p=5432

another report on Nano-Tech –  www.etcgroup.org/en/node/5245

Hemp History Week – Hemp Farming Act of 2011

From Rural Vermont –

It is Hemp History Week and an urgent and critical need for hemp action has just arisen, we need to request your help NOW!! Please call Rep. Peter Welch and let him know that he should become an original cosponsor of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011, which will be introduced next week.  You can find a letter from Rep. Ron Paul and Rep. Barney Frank urging support of this Act

here: http://www.votehemp.com/paul_dear_colleague_3.html. In short, the Act would repeal a provision of federal law that prohibits farmers from growing industrial hemp, and would therefore set Vermont up to be one of the first states to get hemp seeds in the ground (since it has already been legalized here)!  Rep. Welch must become an original cosponsor this week, so please call his office TODAY at (202) 225-4115, and tell Rep. Welch to become an original cosponsor of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011.  Thanks for your work and support on this important agricultural issue!

Vermont Hemp Farm Bill (as introduced) –  J.R.S. 26 VT Hemp Farm Bill

Tracking this bill – http://www.leg.state.vt.us/database/status/summary.cfm?Bill=JRS026&Session=2010