World consumer body launches GM campaign

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World consumer body launches GM campaign

" GM WATCH " <info

 

Sun, 10 Oct 2004 22:00:26 +0100

 

World consumer body launches GM campaign

http://www.gmwatch.org

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The global voice for consumers u La voix des consommateurs à travers le

monde u La voz global para la defensa de los consumidores

 

World consumer body launches GM campaign

 

For immediate release

10 October 2004

 

Consumers International, the worldwide federation of consumer

organisations, is launching a campaign to press for a moratorium on

genetically

modified organisms (GMOs) in seeds, crops and foodstuffs, while putting

stringent safeguards in place for GM foods already in the market.

 

The campaign aims to stop the spread of GM crops until internationally

agreed regulations are in place and there are clear benefits to

consumers, farmers and the environment. At present about two-thirds of GM

crops are grown in the USA, with the remainder in a few key countries.

Most

countries have not switched to GM crops, in part because of widespread

consumer resistance to GM foods.

 

In regard to existing GM foods the CI campaign will focus on four

areas. It will aim to ensure that all GM foods are subjected to rigorous,

independent Safety testing, are adequately Labelled, and Traceable back

to their origin; and that producers are held Liable for environmental or

health damage which they may cause.

 

The campaign will begin in Thailand, where farmers and consumers are

deeply concerned at the unregulated introduction of GM papaya from a

research facility into the open environment. Although the authorities

have

ordered the destruction of the unauthorised GM papaya, scientists fear

that that contamination has spread. Thailand's exports have already

suffered - one large European importer cancelled an order for papaya,

stating that European consumers did not want GM foods.

 

The campaign will be launched at a press conference in Bangkok on

Sunday, 10 October, hosted by the Foundation for Consumers, Thailand's

leading independent consumer body, and CI. The CI campaign is launched on

the eve of the international meeting of Food Safety Regulators in

Bangkok and less than a week before World Food Day on 16 October.

 

Speakers include:

Marilena Lazzarini, President of Consumers International

Amadou Kanoute, Director of Consumers International Africa Office.

Michael Hansen, Consumers' Union, USA

Saree Aongsomwang, Director of the Foundation for Consumers and CI

Council Member

 

Notes to editors:

 

The press conference will take place on Sunday, 10 October at 11am at

the Royal Princess Hotel, 269 Larn Luang Road, Pomprab, Bangkok 10100. A

lunch will be served after the press conference.

Proceedings will be in Thai and English with simultaneous translation.

 

All Thai and international correspondents are welcome. However, to help

us cater for numbers, please let us know in advance if you will attend

and be staying for the lunch (details above).

 

Foundation for Consumers

in Bangkok:

Further information and/or to confirm your attendance:

Tel: + 66 2 952 5060-2

Fax: + 66 2 580 9337

E-mail: research

 

Contact: Kaye Stearman

Consumers International London

Tel: +44 20 7226 6663 ext.219

Mobile: 07985 023 005

E-mail: kstearman