Closing the back door on genetically engineered food

Activists take over Greek soybean import and processing company

Feature story - 25 November, 2002
This morning a group of 20 Greenpeace activists took over the facilities of a major Greek soybean import and processing company, Greek Oil Mills, to prevent genetically engineered (GE) products from entering the food chain.

Climbers drop a 200-square meter banner from the main building of the Greek Oil Mills plant to demand an end to imports of GM soy for food and animal feed.

The activists blocked the loading and unloading machinery, hung a 200-square meter banner from the main building and took samples all over the installation. Samples of soy flour, soybeans and animal feed were then analysed on a field lab at the Greenpeace ship MV Esperanza, anchored at the bay, and tested positive for genetic modification.

GE products enter the European market through loopholes in the existing legislation that do not require labelling of animal feed and refined oils.

Greek Oil Mills produces and sells mainly oil and animal feed it imports through its own dock facing the Evoikos Bay, some 250 km north of Athens.

The company has served Greenpeace with a legal notice informing that it intends to charge 2000 euros for each hour the factory remains occupied, but the activists remain in place until Greek Oil Mills commits to stop importing GE soy products and to provide the food and animal feed markets with certified non-GE soya.

Click here for a Flash movie on the action in Greece.