Help Polish farmer facing prison for protesting illegal GMOs

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GMW: Help Polish farmer facing prison for protesting illegal GMOs

" GM WATCH " <info

Sat, 13 Aug 2005 16:06:58 +0100

 

 

 

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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Here's an important request for help from ICPPC - the International

Coalition to Protect the Polish Countryside.

 

Their colleague, Marian Zagorny, is facing a prison sentence of 1 year

(or more) for attempting to block illegal shipments of GM grain and

actively protesting against the introduction of GMOs and the factory

farming of pigs in Poland.

 

Below is a letter supporting Marian which you can post or fax to the

Polish president, the court and the relevant minister.

 

This request has been forwarded to us by Helena Paul, co-author of the

Hungry Corporations*.

 

Helena points out what a good job ICPPC are doing in very difficult

circumstances. Poland's countryside and its previously remarkable

biodiversity are under intense pressure due to the country's recent

membership

of the EU and a right wing government being wooed by the US. The

government has recently spent 12 billion USD on arms, for which their

reward

is ... participation in the occupation of Iraq!

 

* http://www.econexus.info/publications.html

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Please add your name and address to the letter below and, if possible,

send a short letter of your own as well to:

 

The Polish President:

 

President of Poland

Aleksander Kwasniewski

ul. Wiejska 10

00-950 Warszawa, Poland

fax. +48 22 695-22-38

 

and the court:

 

Prezes Sadu Okregowego

Wydzia³ IV Penitencjarny i Nadzoru nad Wykonywaniem Orzeczen Karnych

58-500 Jelenia Gora, ul. Wojska Polskiego 56

Poland

fax:+48 75 752-51-13

 

and the Minister:

 

Minister Sprawiedliwosci -

Prokurator Generalny RP Andrzej Kalwas

Ministerstwo Sprawiedliwosci

Al. Ujazdowskie 11, 00-950 Warszawa

Poland

Fax +48 22 621 30 95

 

If possible, please also send a copy to ICPPC - the International

Coalition to Protect the Polish Countryside: fax: +48 33 8797 114, or let

them know by e-mail that you have sent the letters: biuro

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EXAMPLE LETTER

 

Date

 

Address

 

Dear Sir,

 

We, the undersigned organizations, request that your honor consider the

pardon from prison of Marian Zagorny. An activist farmer, he was

sentenced on 21 May 2003 for protesting the illegal smuggling of

genetically

modified organisms (GMO) into Poland which suspended his previous

pardon of a one year prison sentence from 9 June 2000. Over the past five

years, Marian Zagorny has publicly opposed, through a number of actions,

the import of genetically modified maize and grain for many substantial

reasons.

 

Genetically modified crops can interbreed with and contaminate

unmodified crops, creating offspring that interact unpredictably with

other

organisms and the environment. This is especially dangerous for farmers

who wish to avoid genetically modified organisms and have no recourse to

protect their crops from cross-pollination and contamination of GMOs.

 

In addition, GMO critics have raised questions about the ability of

bacteria in human intestines to pick up antibody resistant genes from the

genetically modified food. This would create powerful new bacteria that

are resistant to known antibiotics, making human diseases harder to

treat. In short, neither the biotechnology industry nor the scientific

community has determined the various implications of genetically modified

crops.

 

The impact of illegal imports to Poland is tremendous on the small

scale farmers. Their livelihoods are already threatened, as rich European

companies flock to buy up fertile agricultural land. Marion Zagorny is

defending polish farmers' livelihoods as he opposes the smuggling of

illegal maize, grain, chicken and pig meat. As Poland meets the European

Union regulations, the Polish farmers must be protected.

 

Poland should not prosecute and penalize an anti-GMO activist working

to raise public awareness. We encourage you, President Kwasniewski, to

release Marion Zagorny and pardon all his actions protesting the illegal

importation of genetically modified crops into Poland.

 

Sincerely Yours,

 

 

 

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