THE EUROPEAN-LATIN
AMERICAN GMO DEBATE
Creating Bridges to
Understanding
The global GMO controversy and debate
takes different forms depending upon
regional context and other factors. How
does the situation compare in Europe and in
Latin America?
Europe is a key player in the GMO
debate. Several factors -- including the
strong presence of consumers’ rights groups
with considerable lobbying power, the
popularity of organic foods, the climate of
fear surrounding issues of food safety, and
the significance of the European market for
agro-business and huge biotech research
investments – all ensure that Europe is a
primary force in determining the future of
the biotech industry. Although some
European governments are very pro-GMO, such
as the United Kingdom and Spain, civil
society in general has overwhelmingly
rejected GM products. As a result, several
major retailers and suppliers across Europe
are promoting GMO-free lines. This
situation has increased the pressure on
producers on other continents, fearful of
the economic consequences of a collapsing
market for GM agriculture.
Whilst the debate in Europe has
encouraged discussion in Latin America, the
discourse surrounding GMOs there is far
from homogenous. On one end of the
spectrum, Brazil is GMO-free; on the other
end, Argentina is the second-largest
producer of GM soya in the world.
Argentina, Chile and Uruguay are members of
the so-called "Miami Group", which together
with the United States, Canada and
Australia worked for a weak Biosafety
Protocol in Montreal early this year (see
article this issue).
And whilst the GMO debate has
successfully raised public awareness in
Europe, awareness in Latin America about
the issues involved is still comparatively
low. The biotechnology discourse is
relatively new, with the emphasis of
discussions until recently being centered
on the Green Revolution. Whereas in Europe
the focus of the controversy is the
potential risks to the environment and
human health, in Latin America the
socio-economic aspects play a much greater
role. Hunger is one of the main concerns on
this continent: 32 million Brazilians – a
fifth of the population - are currently in
a state of hunger. As a result, the biotech
debate addresses primary worries concerning
food security issues and the dependence of
farmers on biotech companies, and also
brings in issues of technology transfer and
the patenting of genetic resources and crop
varieties.
These various contexts and situations
lead to different perceptions. For example,
the owner of a small farm in Latin America
will worry about food security and
retaining independence as the biotech
industry exercises ever more control
through patenting. Environmental problems
such as the detrimental effect of Bt maize
on the Monarch butterfly population will be
of less immediate concern. This can be
contrasted with the concerns of the average
western European, who has never experienced
comparable problems feeding his or her
family, but has an interest in the
potential health and environmental risks of
GM food.
For effective action on a global scale,
an understanding of these different
contexts is essential. If we are aware of
different priorities, we can create
synergies and common goals, and thus
strengthen campaigns in different parts of
the world. An understanding of our
different perspectives must be the first
bridge to be built.
Juan Lopez,
FoE Europe
