Mrs. Samnieng Huadlim, aged 62, a rice farmer from Ratchaburi
province, 120 kilometres south of Bangkok, is visiting the European
Commission to talk about her successful experiences using
ecological farming methods. Her farm is currently being showcased
around the world with its organic rice-art which features
traditional Thai farmers harvesting the country's most important
food crop. Thailand is the world's leading rice exporter (1) but
its celebrated rice farms are currently under threat from possible
GMO contamination.
"I am proud to show the European Commission how Thailand is one
of the leading rice producers in the world-without the need for GMO
rice 'technologies.' Thailand's rice farmers are the backbone of
our country's agriculture. Traditional sustainable farming methods
are better and safer. If it is possible in Thailand, it should
also be possible in the EU," said Samnieng Huadlim.
The farmers, of which the two others are from Spain and Sweden,
are sharing testimonies 'from the field' about the destructive
effects of GMO contamination, and contrasting it to their
successful experiences with natural farming. The farmers have
brought with them ecologically grown produce for a light organic
brunch: maize, potatoes and rice, whose GMO-equivalents are
awaiting authorisation from the European Commission.
"By signing the petition to stop the authorisation of GMO rice,
people have shown that they do not want GMO food on their fields or
on their plates," said Natwipha Ewasakul, Greenpeace Southeast Asia
Sustainable Agriculture Campaigner. "GMO maize is already
threatening the environment and the livelihoods of farmers in
Europe. The European experience with GMOs must not be repeated in
Thailand to protect both farmers and consumers, and to ensure that
Thai agriculture remains sustainable for the next generations."
Greenpeace is also presenting the report, 'Testimonies of
Contamination', to the Commission. The report documents the
dangers of GMO contamination and the effects on the livelihoods of
Europe's farmers and local communities. Greenpeace believes that
authorizing Bayer's GMO rice and other GMO crops will put the
world's major staple foods at risk.
In contrast, ecological farming protects soils, water and
natural habitats, produces healthy food and reduces greenhouse gas
emissions. Growing a mix of crops and varieties in one field is the
most effective strategy to allow agriculture to adapt to climate
change, increase resistance to diseases and decrease pesticide
use.
Greenpeace is calling on the EC to protect our food and our
farms by rejecting the authorisation of Bayer's GMO rice, BASF's
GMO potato and Monsanto's MON810 GMO maize.
In Thailand, Greenpeace is calling on the Thai Government to
issue an outright ban on GMOs, particularly GMO rice. GMOs have
never been proven safe for human consumption, threaten farmers'
livelihoods and pose irreversible risks to the environment.
Other contacts: Natwipha Ewasakul
Sustainable Agriculture Campaigner
Tel: 085 843 7300
Wiriya Kingwatcharapong
Media Campaigner
Tel: 089 487 0678
Notes: (1) In January this year, Greenpeace unveiled the Guinness World Record certifying Thailand as the largest exporter of rice in the world with 8,094,000 tonnes of rice in 2007, which amounts to 27 percent of all rice traded in world markets.