On World Food Day representatives from a coalition of 17 organisations from across Asia hold baskets of rice varieties at the FAO headquarters during a rally to deliver the GE-Free rice declaration. In the declaration, the group called for a ban on the development and cultivation of GE rice, and called upon the FAO to cease support for GE crops, and to instead support the development of sustainable, ecologically sound farming systems.
"Rice is the world's most important staple food crop and we
simply cannot allow a small number of biotech companies and GE
scientists to determine the future of rice development," said
Varoonvarn Svangsopakul of Greenpeace Southeast Asia. "GE rice is
not a solution to world hunger. It poses unacceptable risks to
health and the environment, as well as people's livelihoods."
The aggressive push from biotechnology companies wanting to
introduce GE rice in Asia is facing increasing criticism from civil
society organisations concerned about negative impacts on farmers,
on the environment, health and agricultural sustainability.
The theme of this year's World Food Day sponsored by the United
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is Agriculture and
intercultural dialogue -celebrating the contribution of different
cultures to world agriculture.
"GE rice poses threats to the centre of origin and diversity of
rice in Asia, as well as the cultural diversity of rice-growing
communities across the region. The introduction of GE rice is
contradictory to the theme of this year's World Food Day
celebration," said Dr Suman Sahai from Gene Campaign, India.
"The real way forward for sustainable agriculture and solution
for hunger is through the protection and use of biodiversity rather
than genetic engineering, and the promotion of ecological
agriculture based on the traditional knowledge of farming
communities," said Paul Borja, SEARICE, based in the
Philippines.
"Bangladesh farmers have a long tradition of maintaining local
rice diversity and they are resisting Syngenta's move to introduce
Golden Rice," said Palash Baral, from UBINIG Bangladesh.
"With breeding and growing local rice varieties, Thailand
farmers are able to enjoy nutritious food and stabilize their
income," said Supanee Taneewut, RRAFA, Thailand.
Following a 2-day meeting outside Bangkok, representatives from
10 rice growing countries wearing traditional dresses will today
deliver the GE-Free Rice Declaration to the FAO headquarters in
Bangkok, along with a collection of rice varieties as a
demonstration of the importance of maintaining rice diversity.
In the declaration, the group called for a ban on the
development and cultivation of GE rice, and called upon the FAO to
cease support for GE crops, and to instead support the development
of sustainable, ecologically sound farming systems."
Other contacts: Uaphan Chamnan-Ua, Greenpeace Southeast Asia media officer: +661 928 2426Varoonvarn Svangsopakul, Greenpeace Southeast Asia campaigner: +661 929 7373
VVPR info: Photos availableGreenpeace International Photo Desk, John Novis, +31.653.819.121GE-Free Rice Declaration available at www.greenpeacesoutheastasia.org