Press release - July 7, 1999
BANGALORE, India — Five Greenpeace activists were arrested while protesting at the inaugural session of the Asia Pacific Seed Association’s (APSA’s) annual conference ‘Asian 2000’ in Bangalore today. Amidst heavy security arrangements, Greenpeace activists dressed in vegetable suits of tomatoes, brinjals and corn, demonstrated against the promotion and introduction of genetically engineered seeds. They were released later.
With a 'Save Our Seeds' message, Greenpeace stated that the main
agenda of the Asia Pacific Seed Association's (APSA) conference was
to facilitate seed trading in the region. The conference was seen
as an instrument to promote the seed and biotech industry's plan of
introducing genetically modified crops into the region.
Highlighting their concerns, Greenpeace pointed out that in
addition to the serious environmental risks posed by genetically
modified crops, the monopolistic corporate control over seeds was
dangerous.
At a time when mounting concern over the ethics and
environmental risk of genetically engineered crops and food has led
to their rejection in several 'developed' countries, claims of
genetically modified crops feeding the world and being particularly
beneficial for small scale farmers were being used to promote
biotechnology in agricultural economies of Asia.
Of serious concern is the fact that the very basis of life the
seed will be 'owned' and controlled by commercial interests.
Corporate controlled vested interests are developing gene altered
seeds and utilising the patent regime, claiming exclusive ownership
of seeds to gain control over agriculture, said Michelle Chawla,
Greenpeace's Genetic Engineering Campaigner. Genetic engineering is
being utilised as a tool by seed companies to control life
forms.
Greenpeace stressed that in a predominantly agrarian economy; a
monopolistic hold over the farmers seed systems wherein seeds would
be available on payment of annual royalties could have a
devastating impact on small farmers.
Additionally, the lack of corporate liability or responsibility
in the case of contamination of seeds by genetically manipulated
varieties is another issue of serious concern as it would intensify
the risk of genetic pollution of India's agro-ecosystems. Given
that the subsequent irreversible environmental risks associated
with planting gene altered crops was high, Greenpeace demanded that
corporations take responsibility and face up to this liability.
Greenpeace has been campaigning worldwide against the release of
genetically modified organisms into the environment and pressuring
the seed industry to pay for its liabilities.