Press release - 10 May, 2004
Greenpeace today declared victory for the environment with the announcement by Monsanto that they would suspend further development or open field trials of its genetically engineered, Roundup Ready wheat. Since 2001, a diverse body of groups, including the Canadian Wheat Board, has opposed the release of Roundup Ready wheat.
"This is a victory for the environment, farmers and consumers,"
said Pat Venditti, Greenpeace Genetic Engineering Campaigner.
"Strong rejection of GE wheat from virtually every corner of the
globe once again showed the resistance to GE foods."
Monsanto announced this morning that they will defer all further
efforts to introduce Roundup Ready wheat, and that they will
discontinue breeding and field level research of the crop. This
follows a similar announcement from 2003 in which the company
announced its withdrawal from development of pharmaceutical
crops.
"Let's hope GE wheat permanently joins GE flax, GE tomatoes, and
GE potatoes in the dustbin of bad ideas. Rather than having to
restage this battle in four years time, we hope that Monsanto has
heard loud and clear that genetically engineered wheat is a
non-starter," continued Mr. Venditti. "The Canadian Government
should make a note of this and re-think it's devotion to this
unnecessary technology."
According to the Canadian Wheat Board, eighty-seven percent of
Canadian wheat buyers now require non-GE certification of wheat. In
a survey of countries willing to accept GE wheat by the US
Department of Agriculture, only four - Peru, Sri Lanka, Pakistan
and Yemen - said they would buy it.
VVPR info: Monsanto's announcement is available at: www.monsanto.com