EU MUST PROTECT CITIZENS AND ENVIRONMENT FROM GM RISK

Brussels, 11/1/06
Speaking at the GUE/NGL conference on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) today in the European Parliament, Greek MEP Diamanto Manolakou asserted that the fact that a small number of powerful biotech multinationals maintain control over the production of GMOs and effectively seek to "guinea pig test their products on humans" was posing significant risks for public health and the environment. With transnational food corporations trying to obtain full control of the food chain, GMOs and monopolisation of seeds represent a means to impose their conditions in agricultural production.

The conference, entitled "GMOs and Transnational Food Corporations - A Threat to Food Sovereignty, Public Health and Biodiversity" gathered professors, researchers, experts and farmers from across Europe to discuss ways to deal with the stranglehold transnational food businesses have on agricultural production, the risks posed by GM technology and how to protect biodiversity and food sovereignty.

In his contribution, Swedish MEP Jonas Sjöstedt emphasised that while GM technology has enormous potential, there is still not enough scientific understanding of their impact on the environment and human health. He also said that the multinationals involved in GM food production do not hold the interests of citizens at heart.

"Industry wants to deny the public their right to know about GM ingredients. We advocate a moratorium on GM products and will defend the rights of countries, regions and consumers to say 'NO' to them!" Sjöstedt said.

GUE/NGL is opposed to the cultivation of GMOs and strongly believes that coexistence of GM plants and conventional plants is not possible as they pose a potential threat to human, animal and plant health. The argument that their use will increase food production and solve the food shortage problems in parts of the developing world is often voiced by genetic engineering companies. The fact is that there is an unfair distribution of food and food production in the world and what we need is an assessment of the fundamental cause of this unequal distribution of food and a move to ensure that communities and farmers can reclaim control over their own food production.

for information:
David Lundy + 32 485 505812

GUE/NGL press office :Gianfranco Battistini + 32 475 646628 www.guengl.eu