The EC stated that it would only impose testing and
certificationrequirements on imports of long grain rice from the
United States whichdoes not address contamination from genetically
engineered (GE) ricethat may already be in food in the EU. The EC
also relies on testingand information provided by Bayer, makes no
commitment to its ownassessment of the extent of the contamination
problem and also imposesno penalties and costs against Bayer.
The EC made this move after Commercial rice in the United States
wasfound contaminated with genetically engineered (GE) Liberty Link
(LL)rice 601, produced by agro-chemical giant Bayer and never
intended forcommercial release. Imports were, as a result,
immediately banned inJapan. (1)
"While the Commission should be congratulated for a quick
response tothis genetic contamination, this response is inadequate
as rice is theworld's most important staple food and is contained
in many foodproducts currently on EU shelves, "said Jeremy Tager,
GreenpeaceInternational GE campaigner. "It is time to move beyond
case-by-caseprocedures as the GE industry has shown time and time
again that it isunwilling or unable to prevent GE
contamination."
Greenpeace International calls on the EC to stop reacting
tocontamination 'accidents' and start preventing them instead. The
ECshould identify countries and products that are at high risk
ofcontaminating our food supply with illegal or dangerous GE
organismsand implement screening, preventative testing and, where
there is nodemonstrated capacity to prevent contamination, total
bans.
Greenpeace International calls on other major importing regions
such asthe Americas, Africa and the Middle East to take similar
stepsimmediately until the US can guarantee that their rice supply
- andother foods - are no longer contaminated.
"A message needs to be sent to the US and to agro-chemical giant
Bayerthat genetic contamination and 'accidents' with our food are
notacceptable, and ultimately they must be held liable for cleaning
it up."
Greenpeace campaigns for GE-free crop and food production
grounded onthe principles of sustainability, protection of
biodiversity andproviding all people to have access to safe and
nutritious food.Genetic engineering is an unnecessary and unwanted
technology thatcontaminates the environment, threatens biodiversity
and posesunacceptable risks to health.
VVPR info: Jeremy Tager, Greenpeace International GE campaigner mob +31 (0) 6 4622 1185 office +31 (0) 20 718 2177Suzette Jackson, Greenpeace International communications +31 (0) 6 4619 7324
Notes: (1)http://www.easybourse.com/Website/dynamic/News.php?NewsID=44088〈=fra&NewsRubrique;=2