U.S. derails discussion on labelling of GM food

[Guest guest]

GMW: U.S. derails discussion on labelling of GM food

" GM WATCH " <info

Wed, 11 May 2005 18:54:44 +0100

 

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

------

Earlier today we noted how polls consistently show that an overwhelming

majority of American consumers want GM foods to be labelled. The US and

its puppets (listed below) are determined to try and block people

having them. In some cases, in order to win favour with the U.S., the

governments of countries that already have labelling are seeking to block

labelling spreading!

 

EXCERPTS:

 

'Forty countries have mandatory labelling of GM and this accounts for

one third of the world's population. Despite this, a handful of

countries still managed to block substantial process on an international

standard for labelling of GMOs.'

 

Countries that tried to terminate discussions on the GM labelling

guidelines at Codex:

United States

Mexico

Argentina

Paraguay

Philippines

 

Countries with GM labelling who spoke out against Codex guidelines:

Australia

Thailand

------

United States tries to derail discussion on labelling of GM food

 

11 May, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

 

The international Codex Committee on Food Labelling today deferred a

decision on the mandatory labelling of genetically modified (GM) food.

 

The United States and four other countries tried to derail global

support for the measure by European, African and Asian countries.

 

From 55 country delegations present, 30 spoke in favour of labelling of

GM food and 18 remained silent. Despite the overwhelming support for

labelling, the conclusion of the meeting was to defer a decision.

Discussions will continue over the year, but little other progress was

made at

the meeting.

 

A 12-strong delegation from Consumers International (CI) lobbied

delegates to speak up for an international guideline that would protect

countries with labelling of GM food from a World Trade Organization (WTO)

dispute and give guidance to developing countries wishing to introduce

labelling legislation. Consumer rights to safety, to information, and to

a healthy and sustainable environment are threatened by the current

marketing of GMOs.

 

Members of the CI delegation expressed deep disappointment about the

outcome.

 

Head of CI delegation, Mr Samuel Ochieng, Chief Executive Officer,

Consumers Information Network, Kenya, said: 'The interests of biotech

companies are being put before consumer interests. GM food is

substantially

different from non-GM food. With GM, genes can be transferred between

unrelated species such as from a swine to a vegetable or from wheat to

rice. The health impacts are unknown and GM food is not currently safety

tested. However, we are encouraged that many countries are beginning to

recognise the need for labelling and next time we hope to move

forward.'

 

Sue Davies, Chief Policy Advisor, Which? (the UK Consumers'

Association), said:

'Forty countries have mandatory labelling of GM and this accounts for

one third of the world's population. Despite this, a handful of

countries still managed to block substantial process on an international

standard for labelling of GMOs.'

 

Clare Hughes, Food Policy Officer, Australian Consumers'Association,

said: `We are ashamed that Australia spoke against labelling of GM food.

Australia has labelling of GMOs and the delegation failed to stand up

for the even limited amount of protection we have at home. We are

denying countries from having the benefits of something that Australians

already have.'

 

 

David Cuming, CI GM Campaign Manager, said: `Consumers International

members worldwide have put a huge effort into lobbying countries to

support labelling of GM food. We have heard massive support from

countries

who have not previously taken a stand on GM. The US and others have

failed to derail discussions but we are optimistic that more nations now

understand the importance of labelling for consumer information. The

consumers right to know must be upheld.'

 

Further information Contact: Julia Crosfield, Tel: +44 7974 922 703,

E-mail: jcrosfield

 

Note to editors:

Countries with mandatory labelling: Australia, Brazil, China, Japan,

Russia and the European Union (which last year introduced comprehensive

labelling and traceability of GM food).

 

Countries that tried to terminate discussions on the GM labelling

guidelines at Codex:

United States

Mexico

Argentina

Paraguay

Philippines

 

Countries with GM labelling who spoke out against Codex guidelines:

Australia

Thailand

 

Countries who supported discussions on GM labelling at Codex:

The European Union (EU) countries:

Austria, Ireland, Finland, Germany, Italy, Greece, Spain, United

Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, France, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary and the

Netherlands.

 

Other countries in support were: Japan, Brazil, Malaysia, India, Kenya,

Indonesia, Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, Tunisia, Senegal,

Swaziland, Panama, Turkey and Ghana.

 

Kaye Stearman

Global Communications Co-ordinator, Consumers International

Tel: +44 20 7226 6663 x 219, Mobile: 07985 023005

 

 

------------------------