The European Commission has just authorized the cultivation of a
genetically engineered crop for the first time since 1998. Health
Commissioner John Dalli, in agreement with EU President Barroso,
used a procedural move -- the so-called 'written procedure' -- to
authorize a genetically engineered potato and thereby avoided a
debate in the College of Commissioners. The genetically engineered
potato (known as Amflora) has been developed by German
agro-chemical company BASF.
It is widely accepted that GE crops pose an unacceptable risk to the
environment, as well as to human and animal health. However,
the Health Commissioner has literally forced the authorization of
this crop without even holding a debate with his fellow
Commissioners. By hiding behind bureaucratic formalities the EU
Commission is essentially force-feeding Europeans with products
that they don't want. Such a decision is shocking and sets a
dangerous precedent that the profit-driven agro-chemical companies
will undoubtedly take advantage of.
What's the big deal?
The BASF GE potato contains a gene resistant to certain
antibiotics.
The World Health Organization together with the European
Medicines Agency have warned about the impact of the Amflora
potato. Releasing it into the environment could raise bacterial
resistance to life-saving medicines, including drugs used for the
treatment of tuberculosis. And in this respect, BASF's GE potato
will come into conflict with EU law. Since 2004, it is forbidden to
market crops with antibiotic resistant genes that could pose a
threat to human health and the environment.
Barroso has been trying to force GE food onto the European
market against the wishes of many member states and public opinion.
He has allowed thousands of agro-chemicals to the markets without
health or environmental safety tests.
It's not just about potatoes...
We have urgent concerns about the intention of President Barroso
and Health Commissioner Dalli to authorise the cultivation of
genetically engineered crops in Europe. Hot on the trails of the GE
potato are three pesticide-producing maize varieties produced by
Monsanto (MON810), Pioneer (Bt11) and Syngenta (1507) all awaiting
authorization.
GE crops cause many environmental problems.
Most of them are created to resist high does of herbicides
(developed and sold by the same companies that market the GE crop).
As a consequence weed populations become resistant to herbicides
and farmers need to increase the amount of chemicals spread on
fields. Apart from hitting farmers economically the chemicals could
affect their health. And the increased usage of agro-chemicals has
serious effect on insects that are naturally part of the eco system
and are an essential part of it. Throwing the insect population out
of balance could result in the need for heavy use of insecticides
to control them, adding to the chemical cocktail on our food, soils
and water. On top of that GE crops could sporadically spread and
interbreed with non GE environments, contaminating and taking over
farmer's crops. This sometimes creates 'monster plants' and gives
farmers no other choice but to purchase GE seeds and the chemicals
to grow them, from agro-chemical giants like Monsanto or BASF.
A-maize-ing in Mexico
In Mexico - our activists scaled a national monument and
unfolded a massive banner in Guadalajara - where an international
conference started this week on agricultural biotechnologies in
developing countries. The banner called on the UN Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) to stop GE crops and protect
maize.
We expect this conference to heavily promote the propaganda that
GE is one of the tools needed to help developing countries out of
hunger and poverty. This conference is taking place just as Mexico
is about to unleash GE maize in experimental field trials. Mexico
is the center of origin and diversity for this staple crop.
Cultivating GE maize here will irreversibly contaminate a center of
biodiversity.
Our office in Mexico is also contributing to the organization of
a parallel forum that is going to run during the FAO conference,
with round tables on risks and alternatives to GE, movie showings,
a demonstration and meetings with media and local celebrities who
support ecological farming.
GE-free Germany
On Monday, over 500 of our activists from all over Germany ate a
GE-free lunch at the Brandenburg Gate to protest the GE-friendly
policies of the government. Even though most Germans object to genetically manipulated food, the
government wants to promote GE agriculture, especially -- yes
you've guessed it! -- the GE 'Amflora potato' from BASF. The
banquet was set up so that the tables spelled out 'NEIN' (NO) when
seen from above. According to a public poll in January, 79 percent
of Germans oppose GE crops for cultivation because of the
ecological risks. And they don't want to be 'guinea-pigs' for the
GE industry.
Flogging a dead horse
In April 2008, the World Bank and several UN bodies concluded
the Global Agricultural Assessment Report, the first-ever
scientific assessment of global agriculture. It was compiled over
four years by more than 400 scientists from around the world and
signed by 58 governments. Contrary to the GE industry propaganda,
this assessment sees no role for GE crops in eradicating hunger and
ensuring food security. The future of agriculture lies in
agroecological systems that create jobs and stimulate rural
development, defend nature and people by protecting soil, water and
climate, and promote biodiversity. Such farming systems ensure
healthy farming and healthy food for today and tomorrow, and do not
contaminate the environment with chemicals or genetic
engineering.
European citizens mostly reject GE food and have done so
consistently for almost 15 years. About 60 percent of the EU
population oppose the use of GE crops in agriculture. In 2009
European farmers planted 11 percent fewer GE crops compared to the
previous year, due to higher prices and the low appeal of GE crops.
the EU Comission is now by-passing proper procedures for GE
authorization.
Take Action!
Show your support for sustainable agriculture.