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media advisory
friends of the earth
international
biotech foods: international safety laws
agreed
CURITIBA (BRAZIL), 17 March 2006 - United
Nations talks on the global trade in
genetically modified (GM) foods and crops
ended here today with an agreement on the
labelling of GM grains traded worldwide.
Friends of the Earth welcomed the agreement
as a "small step forward" but attacked the
biotech industry and the trade interests of a
few countries for blocking progress towards
better protection for developing countries
and the environment.
The biotech industry consistently opposed
clear identification and labelling
requirements for GM crops. Without clear
labelling many countries, especially
developing countries with their limited
resources, are unable to protect their food
supply and environment from GM
contamination.
Nnimmo Bassey, International Coordinator
of the Friends of the Earth GMO Campaign
said:
"Protection of the environment and the
public from genetically modified crops has
taken a small step forward today. However it
is clear that trade interests and the biotech
industry stopped a better agreement from
being made. Countries have the right to know
what is being imported into their country and
the right to say no to GM crops."
The UN Biosafety Protocol, which was
originally agreed in January 2000, provides
basic international rules that allow mainly
developing countries to regulate the safety
of GM foods, crops and seeds. It has been
ratified by 132 countries but the three main
countries that grow GM crops - the United
States, Argentina and Canada - have refused
to support it.
Ten years after the first significant
planting of GM crops, no plants with benefits
to consumers or the environment have
materialized and GM crops have failed to
deliver the promises of the biotech industry.
More than 80% of the area cultivated with
biotech crops is still concentrated in only
three countries: the US, Argentina and
Canada.
Friends of the Earth International
recently published a report that
concluded:
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GM crops are not green. Monsanto’s GM
soybeans, the most extensively grown GM
crop today, has led to an increase in
herbicide use. The intensive cultivation of
soybeans in South America is fostering
deforestation, and has been associated with
a decline in soil fertility and soil
erosion.
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GM crops do not tackle hunger or
poverty. Most GM crops commercialized so
far are destined for animal feed, not for
food, and none have been introduced to
address hunger and poverty issues. In
Argentina, the second biggest producer of
GM crops in the world, only 2% of the soya
stays in the country. Other developing
countries, such as Indonesia and India,
have experienced substantial problems with
Monsanto’s GM crops, often leaving farmers
heavily indebted.
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The biotech industry has failed to
introduce the promised new generation’ of
GM crops with consumer benefits. After 30
years of research, only two modifications
have made it to the marketplace on any
scale: insect resistance and herbicide
tolerance.
for more information
contact
In Curitiba, Brazil
Nnimmo Bassey, Friends of the Earth
International / Friends of the Earth Nigeria
Tel: +44 7785334200 (UK mobile) or email
Adrian Bebb, Friends of the Earth Europe Tel
+49 1609 490 1163 (German mobile) or
email
In Europe
Juan Lopez, Friends of the Earth
International Tel +34 6259 805 820 (Spanish
mobile)
For more information: Background on
biosafety:
http://www.foei.org/gmo/biosafety.html
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