Genetically
Modified Foods in Europe: Politicians Say Yes – Public Says No!
(Beyond Pesticides, May 20, 2004) Yesterday's approval
of the first new genetically modified (GM) food in Europe for over five
years will only harden consumer resistance, says Friends of the Earth
International. The group heavily criticized the European Commission
for approving the import of a controversial GM sweet corn without the
support of the European Union (EU) member states that remain deeply
divided over its safety.
The maize, developed by Swiss-based Syngenta, has been engineered to
include a deadly insecticide. The European approval is only for food
and animal feed imports and not for growing in the EU. Friends of the
Earth claim that with opposition so high there is little future for
GM food and crops in Europe.
Consumers say no:
There is virtually no market for GM foods in Europe as consumers have
overwhelmingly rejected them. New EU labeling and traceability regulations
came into force on April 18th giving consumers better information to
decide. Official
opinion polls show that 94.6% of EU citizens want the right to choose
and 70.9% simply do not want GM food.
GM-Free Regions:
Initiatives to ban GM crops from being grown have now started in at
least 22 European countries with some regions introducing their own
legislation to ban the crops. In France over 1200 municipalities have
issued GM free statements as well as 500 cities in Italy.
GM industry in retreat:
The biotechnology industry sees no future in Europe. Last week biotech
giant Monsanto withdrew their GM wheat after selling their European
cereal business last year. Last month Bayer withdrew the only commercial
crop it had in the UK. The number of applications to test GM crops outdoors
in Europe have reduced 80% since 1997.
Exports lost:
Countries that have planted GM crops on a large scale have seen their
exports to Europe crash. Maize from the US to Europe has declined from
3.3 million tonnes in 1995 to just 25,000 tonnes in 2002. Canada has
lost all of its oilseed rape (canola) market to Europe, worth an estimated
$300 million.
Adrian Bebb, GM campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe, stated,
"There is no future for genetically modified foods or crops in
Europe. Politicians may be saying yes but the public is clearly saying
no. The European market is virtually dead, regions are banning the growing
of GM crops and the industry is packing up and leaving.
"The European Commission is gambling with the health of consumers.
Member states remain divided over the long-term safety of this GM sweet
corn, yet the Commission wants to force it down our throats. But the
public won't swallow this. Hostility to GM food and crops is likely
to grow, and the public's confidence in EU decision-making is likely
to be damaged," he added.
Friends of the Earth opposes the release of GM crops into the environment
but does not oppose biotechnology in general.
A briefing of the GM situation in Europe can be found at http://www.foeeurope.org
For more information, contact Larry Bohlen (202) 270-1547 (cell)
TAKE ACTION: Protect our land and food from GE. Buy organic and lobby your supermarket to label GE food. Find out more about how GE affects health, the environment and the economy at Beyond Pesticides’ Genetic Engineering Program Page.