GMW: Call for GM crop ban as Europe over-rules its ministers

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GMW: Call for GM crop ban as Europe over-rules its ministers

" GM WATCH " <info

Tue, 6 Sep 2005 11:14:35 +0100

 

 

 

 

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1.Call for GM crop ban as Europe over-rules its ministers

2.Farmers call for ban on imports of GM rape-seed oil

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1.Call for GM crop ban as Europe over-rules its ministers

Western Mail, Sep 6 2005

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/1000farming/tm_objectid=15936484 & method=\

full & siteid=50082 & headline=call-for-gm-crop-ban-as-europe-over-rules-its-ministe\

rs-name_page.html

 

The European Commission has approved the import of Monsanto's

genetically modified oilseed rape, making it available for food and

animal feed

across the EU.

 

The decision came despite the decision of the UK, and most EU Member

State governments, not to support the application.

 

And Friends of the Earth warned that approval could create GM hybrids

in the wider environment.

 

The environmental campaign group condemned the decision and called on

the Government to impose a ban on the oilseed rape.

 

'Not only has the Commission ignored the opinion of 19 European

environment ministers and recent scientific findings, but it is also

allowing

Monsanto to decide whether our countryside is contaminated,' said FoE's

GM campaigner Clare Oxborrow.

 

'It is disgraceful that once again the Commission has failed to act to

protect the environment.

 

'The UK Government did not support this approval. Now it must take

matters into its own hand and impose a national ban on this GM seed.'

 

The oilseed rape variety, known as GT73, is resistant to Monsanto's own

herbicide.

 

Most of EU Member States voted against the application or abstained

last year because of unanswered questions over safety and impact on the

environment.

 

Tests have shown that rats fed the oilseed rape showed increase in

liver weights and there are also concerns over the impact of seed spills

into the environment.

 

In addition, recent UK Government research has reported the discovery

of the first genetically modified 'superweed' - the result of GM oilseed

rape cross-breeding with the common weed charlock in the UK farm scale

trials. The weed is resistant to the herbicide used on GM crops.

 

Member states voted 13 to six with six abstentions, including the UK,

to ban imports of the crop and products made from it.

 

But the Commissioners ignored the vote and agreed to allow the crop

into Europe on the basis of an opinion by the European Food Safety

Authority.

 

And although the Commission accepted that the possibility of

cross-breeding was an area of concern, it failed to specify safety

measures to

prevent accidents.

 

Friends of the Earth is calling on the UK Government to use the

provisions in EU law to impose national bans on the GM seed.

 

The decision will make it even harder for farmers who want to provide

non-GM feed for their livestock.

 

BOCM Pauls Ltd say most of their products now contain GM material, with

the exception of its organic range of sheep feed and three beef diets -

Eco beef grade nuts, Eco beef rolls and Eco beef mix 34, which contain

less than 0.9%.

 

In a letter to the Welsh anti-GM campaigner Josie MacDonald the company

says there is currently no demand for non-GM ewe or lamb feeds.

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2.Farmers call for ban on imports of GM rape-seed oil

2005-09-05

http://www.online.ie/news/viewer.adp?article=3272573

 

The Irish Cattle and Sheepfarmers Association has called on the

Government to ban the importation of genetically modified rape-seed

oil into

Ireland.

 

The European Commission decided last month to allow imports of GM

rape-seed oil made by the US multinational Monsanto.

 

The decision was made after the 25 EU member states failed to come to a

consensus on the matter.

 

The ICSA has slammed the Irish Government for abstaining from a vote on

whether to allow the imports, saying Irish consumers were vehemently

opposed to GM foods.

 

Spokesman John Heney said: " Any time there's a survey of consumers,

they say they do not want GM food on their plate, so it's totally

inexcusable that our Government should go down the road of

facilitating its

introduction. "

 

 

 

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