You Are Here:
Other Greenpeace activists are engaging with passers by at the station, urging Victorians to act on their concerns and demand that Premier Brumby reverse his decision, extend the GE food crop ban for at least a further five years and introduce liability legislation to protect farmers and consumers from unwanted GE contamination.
Greenpeace genetic engineering campaigner, Rebecca Hubbard said, "Victoria is running out of time before it loses it's GE free status. The state can't afford the threats that GE crops will pose to the environment, public health and the economy."
The protest coincides with today's meeting of State and Federal Health Ministers in Melbourne. Greenpeace is also demanding the new Federal government deliver on their recent election commitments - to protect human health and the environment and ban the growing of GE food crops until they can be proven "safe beyond reasonable doubt". This includes strengthening the national GE food labelling laws.
Against the interests of other states, both the Victorian and New South Wales Governments recently announced they will lift their bans on GE food crops. South Australia is also pending a decision. GE canola is the first GE food crop approved for commercial release.
"Premier Brumby made the decision to lift the GE food crop ban based on a biased report that incorrectly assessed economic and market influences. It is critical that any assessment of GE food crops also includes environmental and health impacts. The new Federal government needs to intervene so all aspects can be thoroughly addressed," Ms Hubbard said
"Like cane toads, the release of GE canola would be irreversible. GE canola crops can cross state borders and contaminate non-GE canola crops. This will remove choice from farmers who want to remain GE free," said Ms Hubbard.
There is growing evidence that GE crops are harmful to the environment and harmful to human health. Recent polls show that only 27.6% of Australian farmers want to grow GE grain crops and the majority of Australian consumers don't want to eat them. Over 250 Australian companies have recently spoken out against GE crops, including Australia's biggest end user of canola Goodman Fielder, Australia's largest lamb exporter Tatiara meats and most recently the South Australian supermarket chain, Foodland.
"GE crops pose unacceptable risks to human health, the environment and the economy. All State and Federal heads of governments should act unanimously in keeping GE crops out of our fields and our food. They owe this to the majority of Australian farmers, food businesses and consumers who want to stay GE-free," concluded Ms Hubbard.
Greenpeace genetic engineering campaigner, Rebecca Hubbard said, "Victoria is running out of time before it loses it's GE free status. The state can't afford the threats that GE crops will pose to the environment, public health and the economy."
The protest coincides with today's meeting of State and Federal Health Ministers in Melbourne. Greenpeace is also demanding the new Federal government deliver on their recent election commitments - to protect human health and the environment and ban the growing of GE food crops until they can be proven "safe beyond reasonable doubt". This includes strengthening the national GE food labelling laws.
Against the interests of other states, both the Victorian and New South Wales Governments recently announced they will lift their bans on GE food crops. South Australia is also pending a decision. GE canola is the first GE food crop approved for commercial release.
"Premier Brumby made the decision to lift the GE food crop ban based on a biased report that incorrectly assessed economic and market influences. It is critical that any assessment of GE food crops also includes environmental and health impacts. The new Federal government needs to intervene so all aspects can be thoroughly addressed," Ms Hubbard said
"Like cane toads, the release of GE canola would be irreversible. GE canola crops can cross state borders and contaminate non-GE canola crops. This will remove choice from farmers who want to remain GE free," said Ms Hubbard.
There is growing evidence that GE crops are harmful to the environment and harmful to human health. Recent polls show that only 27.6% of Australian farmers want to grow GE grain crops and the majority of Australian consumers don't want to eat them. Over 250 Australian companies have recently spoken out against GE crops, including Australia's biggest end user of canola Goodman Fielder, Australia's largest lamb exporter Tatiara meats and most recently the South Australian supermarket chain, Foodland.
"GE crops pose unacceptable risks to human health, the environment and the economy. All State and Federal heads of governments should act unanimously in keeping GE crops out of our fields and our food. They owe this to the majority of Australian farmers, food businesses and consumers who want to stay GE-free," concluded Ms Hubbard.
For further information or comment
Media Officer Teri Calder 0419 697 515
