Greenpeace activists chain themselves to Bayer headquarters in Mumbai, demanding answers to critical questions on GM crops and food safety - 10:45am
"The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has published an article
in Current Science , stating that Pro Agro (a wholly owned
subsidiary of Bayer) has conducted field trials of cabbage and
cauliflower genetically modified with the Cry9C gene , a potential
human allergen" said Divya Raghunandan, Greenpeace campaigner "We
are concerned about the implications of these dangerous trials on
consumers and farmers who will grow these crops, and Greenpeace is
demanding that the company immediately stop all trials and make all
information related to any past trials open to public
scrutiny."
"
"The apathy and indifference of this company is unbelievable!"
said Divya Raghunandan, GE Campaigner, Greenpeace India, "They took
11 hours to eventually respond with half-truths and a logically
inconsistent statement. This statement only vindicates our stand
that we are dealing with an irresponsible corporation with many
skeletons to hide."
The official response from Bayer first states that it "has never
done trials involving Cry9C" and then states, "These trials were
conducted in a contained environment and were harvested well before
flowering."
The activists, who had earlier unfurled banners proclaiming
'Bayer poisons our food' eventually unchained themselves after
securing an appointment for Wednesday 6th October, a written
statement of the company's stand, and an assurance that their
questions would be answered. Although they ended the protest, they
did so only after unfurling another banner stating 'Bayer is a
Liar', in response to the statement issued by the company.
"
This Cry9C-laced corn, interestingly, was owned by Aventis Crop
Science (later acquired by Bayer), who marketed it under the brand
name StarLink for animal feed and industrial purposes. However in
September 2000, StarLink was found in corn taco shells and other
foods and the company was forced withdraw all products around the
world from the markets .
"Bayer is a repeat offender as far as poisoning our food goes,"
said Doreen Stabinsky, Scientific Advisor, Greenpeace
International, "Greenpeace has already exposed their double
standards with relation to the production and sale of Class I
pesticides that they have discontinued in their home country; Bayer
is again trying to poison Indians, by using a gene that's been
shown to be unsafe in the rest of the world and banned in the US
for human consumption."
For further information, photos and video news releases,
contact:
Divya Raghunandan, GE Campaigner, Greenpeace India:
+919845535406,
Namrata Chowdhary, Media Officer, Greenpeace India:
+919810850092,
More on Genetic Engineering (pdf versions):
GAIN Report
GE Food: Safe to Eat?
Cry9C: Quotes & Facts