GMW: Dairy Farmers warned over GM feed/Women's Institutes appeal to Lula

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GMW: Dairy Farmers warned over GM feed/Women's Institutes

appeal to Lula

" GM WATCH " <info

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 14:56:47 +0100

 

 

 

 

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http://www.gmwatch.org

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1.Dairy Farmers warned over GM feed

2.National Federation of Womens Institutes appeals to Lula

 

The first item is from Northern Ireland where Sinn Fein is one of the

two biggest political parties.

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1.Dairy Farmers warned over GM feed

Northern Ireland dairy farmers were today warned their industry could

suffer if genetically modified feed is allowed into the country.

Press Association, 25/08/2005

http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=64217 & pt=n

 

Sinn Fein agriculture spokesperson Michelle Gildernew called on the

farming industry to vigorously oppose moves to introduce genetically

modified feed through an EU loophole and voiced concerns about the

effect on

milk quality and consumer reaction if it is fed to herds.

 

" The reality is that there is a very real risk of contamination of the

food chain, " the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP said.

 

" Across Ireland and throughout Europe consumers have consistently

rejected food that is genetically modified.

 

" The result is that there are very few GM labelled products on the

market. Indeed many companies make a point of labelling food GM free.

 

" However, there is a loophole in EU labelling regulations. Milk, eggs,

meat and other animal-derived foodstuffs do not need to be labelled if

the animals were fed GM foodstuffs.

 

" The majority GM maize grown in Europe is used as animal feed, meaning

that consumers could unknowingly consume GM derived products, such as

milk.

 

" Through advertising their products as pure and natural, they are

misleading their consumers as their products risk being contaminated from

the GM crops grown by their dairy farmers. "

 

Ms Gildernew noted in Switzerland and Sweden, food manufacturers had

ensured that GM animal feed was not used there.

 

In Austria, she also reported one large dairy company, NOEM AG, ensured

its entire range of fresh milk products were GM free.

 

" Despite the debate about Monsanto's GM maize (MON 810) still ongoing,

the European Commission gave approval for the GM maize to be grown in

the EU in 2004, " she said.

 

" As a result Austria, Greece, Hungary and Poland all have banned the

maize. This is currently the only GM plant permitted to be grown

throughout the EU although other GM maize and GE soya varieties,

cultivated

outside the EU, are authorised for import as animal feed.

 

" Sinn Fein believe that the milk industry, as well as those producing

eggs and other livestock for the market, needs to take a stand on this

issue and take steps to ensure that it is not using GM meal feed.

 

" There is a valuable competitive edge to be gained in producing foods

for market that are genuinely GM free.

 

" We will also be working to ensure that the legal loophole that allows

for the introduction of GM products into our food chain is closed. "

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2.From the National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI)

 

24 August 2005

 

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

Palacio do Planalto

4' andar

70150-900

Brasilia

DF

Brasil

 

Dear President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

 

In November 2004 the NFWI, together with campaign partners, met with a

number of representatives within the food industry to discuss GM and

the threat it poses to the global food chain.

 

The National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) is the UK's

largest women's organisation with some 215,000 members in over 7,000

institutes in England and Wales many of whom are from farming

communities, all

of whom are active and concerned consumers. The issue of GM has been at

the forefront of WI members' minds for several years. At the NFWI AGM

in 1999, they voted for the following resolution:

 

/The NFWI urges Her Majesty's Government to introduce a minimum

five-year moratorium on the commercial growing and import of genetically

engineered foods./

 

Again, at the NFWI's AGM in June 2004, WI members voted by an

overwhelming majority in favour of a resolution, which, on the basis

of the

evidence that has emerged to date, called on the UK Government to ensure

that, GM crops are not grown in the UK.

 

/In the light of growing evidence that the current generation of GM

crops are beneficial for neither people nor planet, this meeting strongly

opposes the growing of GM crops in the UK and calls on HM Government to

prohibit their cultivation./

 

In July 2005, the NFWI and its campaigning partners met with the food

industry representatives for a second time to discuss the threat of GM

soya being introduced in Brazil. Recent changes to the law now allow GM

soya to be grown in Brazil and as such the NFWI believes that we have

reached a crucial point if non-GM supplies are to be maintained in the

future. Brazilian growers are currently willing and able to supply

non-GM soya meal and derivatives, if orders are placed and appropriate

premiums paid. If these orders are not placed they may be tempted to

plant

GM soya. As GM soya suppliers sign contracts for ten years the NFWI

feels it will be difficult to quickly reverse any decisions to grow more

GM.

 

The opinions of WI members reflect the broader consumer attitude

towards GM - public anxiety remains about GM crops and GM ingredients

in the

food chain. However, UK public concerns about GM extend beyond issues

of safety for people, animals and the environment and include corporate

control of the food chain, the quality of corporate science and lack of

trust in companies and the government. The NFWI would like to see the

Brazilian Government take a firm stance on the issue of GM and ensure

that non-GM contracts are maintained this year.

 

The NFWI very much hopes that you accept our petition and will support

this position.

 

Yours sincerely,

Marylyn Haines Evans

Chairman, Federations of Wales

 

 

 

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