GMW: BIOSAFETY TALKS END IN ACRIMONY - 2 countries block progress

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GMW: BIOSAFETY TALKS END IN ACRIMONY - 2 countries block progress

" GM WATCH " <info

Fri, 3 Jun 2005 23:33:04 +0100

 

 

 

 

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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It started with Canada seeking to exclude Dr Tewolde, the leader of the

Africa Group, and ended with an industry roadblock courtesy of New

Zealand and Brazil.

 

" The actions of Brazil and New Zealand are shameless. They have

prevented the vast majority from bringing in rules that will protect the

environment. Their victory, however, will be short-lived as global

opposition to genetically engineered foods continues to grow. "

 

Scroll down this website to see pictures of protests in Montreal this

week.

http://www.iisd.ca/biodiv/bs-copmop2/

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MEDIA ADVISORY

 

Friends of the Earth International

Greenpeace International

 

INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY TALKS END IN ACRIMONY

 

Two countries block tighter rules on GM crops and foods

 

MONTREAL, CANADA, 3 June 2005 ­

 

Key United Nations negotiations on the safe trade of genetically

modified (GM) crops and foods ended today in acrimony.

 

Despite over 100 countries demanding comprehensive controls to limit GM

contamination, the move was blocked by just two countries that sided

with the GM industry ­ New Zealand and Brazil.

 

This week's negotiations on the United Nations' Biosafety Protocol were

aimed at bringing in international rules to reduce contamination from

imports of GM crops and to introduce full labelling.

 

However, despite support from virtually all countries, especially in

the developing world, little progress was made in making the laws

stronger.

Needing consensus to bring in the new laws, New Zealand and Brazil

sided with big business and shamelessly blocked all moves.

 

The Biosafety Protocol provides a safety net to protect the environment

from the threat of GM crops. Countries are encouraged to develop

legislation that protects their biodiversity and can also ban imports

of GM products if there are questions over its safety. To date 119

countries

have ratified the Protocol.

 

Juan Lopez, GM Coordinator of Friends of the Earth International said:

" The world community has shown here this week that it wants laws to

protect itself from the threat of genetically modified foods and crops.

Two countries, Brazil and New Zealand, acting in the interest of big

business, held the talks to hostage and destroyed the hopes of improving

international laws. "

 

Doreen Stabinsky, Greenpeace international genetic engineering

campaigner added: " The actions of Brazil and New Zealand are

shameless. They

have prevented the vast majority from bringing in rules that will protect

the environment. Their victory, however, will be short-lived as global

opposition to genetically engineered foods continues to grow. "

 

ENDS

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

 

Juan Lopez, Friends of the Earth International

+1 514 8036 718 or +39 333 1498 049

 

Doreen Stabinsky, Greenpeace International +1 202 285 7398

 

Adrian Bebb, Friends of the Earth International +1 514 996 4090

 

For information, pictures and reports from Friends of the Earth see:

www.foecanada.org

 

For information on GM contamination see:

www.gmcontaminationregister.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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