Guest guest Posted September 27, 2004 Report Share Posted September 27, 2004 press-release The Institute of Science in Society Science Society Sustainability http://www.i-sis.org.uk General Enquiries sam Website/Mailing List press-release ISIS Director m.w.ho ======================================================== Keep Europe GM-Free! Science for a GM-Free Sustainable Europe ******************************** The European Commission acted irresponsibly in approving 17 varieties of Mon 810 genetically modified (GM) maize for growing in Europe. Mon 810 - approved under the previous weaker legislation in 1998 - failed to satisfy the new EU Directive on deliberate release's requirement for genetic stability and has been implicated in the illnesses of villagers living next to its field release in the south of the Philippines. This approval has formally opened the door for " coexistence " of GM and non-GM crops, a derisory concept welcomed by industry, as the latest research reveals that wind can carry pollen up to 12 miles away. There can be no co-existence for GM crops in Europe (or elsewhere); the livelihoods of our farmers and producers are at stake, as is the health of generations of Europeans. Join representatives of farmers and organic producers, politicians and the Independent Science Panel to call on Europe to ban all environmental releases of GM crops and to promote and adopt sustainable agricultural practices as a matter of urgency. The briefing will be co-chaired by Dr. Felix Prinz zu Löwenstein, President of the federation of organic food producers in Germany Jill Evans, MEP Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales (Greens/EFA) Confirmed speakers include: José Bové, celebrated alter-globalisation French farmer representing Confédération Paysanne and European Farmers Coordination, will speak on their struggles against bad science and scientific research that do not serve farmers or society at large Sue Edwards, Director of the Institute of Sustainable Development in Ethiopia, will tell Parliament why Ethiopia is going organic to feed the poorest; an important policy decision based on the remarkable increase in crop yields subsequent to the introduction of a simple composting package in the State of Tigray since 1996 Dr. Beatrix Tappeser, Head of Division, GMO-Regulation, Biosafety, Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Germany, will speak about GM-Free zones Edward Goldsmith, founding editor of The Ecologist, now published in many languages around the world, will present evidence on why sustainable agriculture must be adopted in climate change if we are to feed the world. Dr. Edward Orskov, Macaulay Institute, Scotland, will speak on how agroforestry is productive and sustainable in the Third World and in Europe Dr. Mae-Wan Ho, director of the Institute of Science in Society, UK, will tell Parliament that genetic modification is based on the discredited science of genetic determinism and hence unlikely to deliver its many promises; and that the new genetics of the 'fluid genome' demands a thoroughly ecological approach to health and agriculture Michael Meacher MP, former environment minister of the UK, will call for changes in science research and other policies that are needed to shift away from GM in order to support and invest in sustainable agriculture Organised by the Institute of Science in Society, the Independent Science Panel, GM Free Cymru and Third World Network. The English, French and Spanish editions of the Independent Science Panel Report, The Case for a GM-Free Sustainable World, will be released on the occasion. This Report is a comprehensive dossier of evidence on the problems and hazards of GM agriculture and the proven successes of all forms of sustainable farming systems around the world. 20 October 2004 - Venue: European Parliament - Time: 13:30 - 17:00 Put GM-Free Europe firmly on the European Community's agenda as the biotech industry is in retreat! Spaces are limited and participants must register (tickets) by 1st October, 2004. Attendance is Free. To help make this event a success, please sponsor it by making a donation. To donate on line, visit http://www.i-sis.org.uk/donation2.php. Or post cheque made out to: GM-Free Europe (ISIS-ISP) PO Box 32097, London NW1 0XR, UK Sponsored by: Fondation de Terre Humaine Fondation de Sauve Green Cuisine ======================================================== This article can be found on the I-SIS website at http://www.i-sis.org.uk/ If you like this original article from the Institute of Science in Society, and would like to continue receiving articles of this calibre, please consider making a donation or purchase on our website http://www.i-sis.org.uk/donations. ISIS is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing critical public information on cutting edge science, and to promoting social accountability and ecological sustainability in science. If you would prefer to receive future mailings as HTML please let us know. If you would like to be removed from our mailing list at http://www.i-sis.org.uk/mailinglist/.php ======================================================== CONTACT DETAILS The Institute of Science in Society, PO Box 32097, London NW1 OXR telephone: [44 20 8643 0681] [44 20 7383 3376] [44 20 7272 5636] General Enquiries sam Website/Mailing List press-release ISIS Director m.w.ho MATERIAL IN THIS EMAIL MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT PERMISSION, ON CONDITION THAT IT IS ACCREDITED ACCORDINGLY AND CONTAINS A LINK TO http://www.i-sis.org.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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