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.