Press release - April 30, 2007
Brussels, Belgium — Greenpeace this weekend alerted the European Commission to the presence of an illegal GMO in a shipment from the US to Europe. Greenpeace is calling for immediate EU intervention to confiscate the cargo and prevent further contamination cases.
Maize pellets taken from Rotterdam-docked vessel Pakrac for lab testing for GMOs, after arrival from the US
The genetically engineered maize was detected in a shipment in the Netherlands. The vessel had previously offloaded part of its consignment in Ireland. It remains unclear whether maize was offloaded in Ireland.
This is at least the fourth time in the past two years that illegal, unapproved GMOs enter the European market. Given the evidence, official traceability and testing systems are patently unable to detect illegal GMO varieties entering Europe.
Greenpeace has called on the EU Commission to temporarily suspend all imports of US agricultural produce at risk of being contaminated with unauthorised, illegal GMOs.
Other contacts:
Geert Ritsema, Greenpeace International GE campaigner, +31 646 197 328
Katharine Mill, Greenpeace European Unit media officer, +32 2274 1903 or +32 496 156 229
Notes:
Photos are available at http://www.greenpeaceweb.org/pers/illegalemais/
Credit obligatory: Greenpeace/Rob Keeris