Biodiversity plan of inaction condemned
BONN, GERMANY, May 30, 2008 — Friends of the Earth International expressed its alarm at the failure of the latest United Nations Convention of Biological Diversity talks to take any meaningful steps against the dangerous loss of biological diversity.
The parties today concluded two weeks of negotiations at the Bonn convention with a conspicuous failure to heed the warnings of small farmers, indigenous peoples and countless civil society groups.
Inaction on curbing menacing agrofuel production and stopping deforestation was matched by the worrying decision to authorise the planting of Genetically Modified (GM) trees.
“We are very disappointed that the parties chose to ignore the legitimate concerns of civil society. Their unwillingness to take urgent steps on agrofuels and deforestation is likely to have major environmental and social impacts as food prices continue to spiral and local communities´ livelihoods suffer from further biodiversity loss,“ said Belmond Tchoumba, co-coordinator of the Forest and Biodiversity Programme of Friends of the Earth International.
“If GM trees contaminate wild tree populations the results could be devastating. GM trees pose unique risks and countries should instead be encouraged to invest in sustainable solutions that protect forests and the communities that depend on them,” said Isaac Rojas, co-coordinator of the Forest and Biodiversity Programme of Friends of the Earth International.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
– Belmond Tchoumba, co-coordinator, Forest and Biodiversity Programme, (French and English): email: belmondt@cedcameroun.org
– Isaac Rojas, Forest and Biodiversity Programme (Spanish, French and English): email: gavitza@racsa.co.cr
