GMW: 'WTO ruling on GM crops threat to India'

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GMW: 'WTO ruling on GM crops threat to India'

" GM WATCH " <info

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 11:14:28 GMT

 

 

 

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

 

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Dr Krishan Bir Choudhary, the executive chairman of India's largest

farmers' organisation, says that after the WTO's " unfortunate

verdict " , the US will become more aggressive in dumping GM food onto

Third World countries.

 

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'WTO ruling on GM crops threat to India'

ASHOK B SHARMA

Financial Express, February 10, 2006

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=117175

 

NEW DELHI, FEB 9: The civil society organisations (CSOs) and farmers

groups in the country have expressed their anguish over the ruling of

the WTO dispute settlement body against the European moratorium on

genetically modified (GM)crops and food.

 

The organisations have said that after this " unfortunate verdict US

will become more aggressive in dumping GM food in India and the Third

World, much against the will of the farmers and consumers in these

countries.

 

Dr Krishan Bir Choudhary, the executive chairman of the country's

largest farmers' organisation, Bharat Krishak Samaj (BKS) said : " The

verdict of the WTO dispute settlement body clearly shows how this

global body is acting against the interests of consumers and farmers.

The EU, on basis of strong public opposition, had decided not to go

for introduction of GM crops. The consumers and farmers in Europe are

aware of the health and environmental hazards of GM crops and food.

WTO's recent verdict amounts to forcing European farmers and consumers

into accepting GM food against their will. " Dr Chaudhary further

added that after this " unfortunate verdict " , the US will become more

aggressive in dumping GM food in the Third World countries.

 

Dr Vandana Shiva of the Delhi-based Research Foundation for Science,

Technology and Ecology, and Kavitha Kuruganthi of the

Secunderabad-based Centre for Sustainable Agriculture condemned the

WTO's recent ruling in the same vigour.

 

Greenpeace has also denounced the WTO ruling which is conditionally

backing the US, Canada and Argentina in their efforts to force Europe

for accepting genetically modified organisms(GMOs). The environmental

organisation considers that the WTO should not be used to undermine

the previous internationally agreed protocols on Biosafety, aimed at

protecting the environment.

 

It is expected that the US will now try and use the verdict, to force

GMOs into other countries. Yet, the countries have the right to say no

to genetically modified organisms under the United Nations Cartagena

Protocol on Biosafety.

 

This WTO ruling is not a victory for the genetic engineering industry,

which will not sell a bushel more of its GM grain as a result. Most of

the public, farmers and a growing number of governments are opposed to

GMOs, said Daniel Mittler, Greenpeace International trade advisor.

 

This verdict only proves that the WTO puts trade interests above all

others, and is unqualified to deal with complex scientific and

environmental issues. While the case demonstrates the desperation of

the US administration and agro-chemical companies, to force-feed

southern markets with GMOs which are unnecessary, risky and unwanted.

 

 

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