Poland bans GM seeds28 May 2006
The Polish President has approved a ban of all Genetically Modified (GM) seeds.
This is a major success for campaigners in Poland who have worked closely with Friends of the Earth.
It's also a success for the local authorities, NGOs, farmers, politicians and scientists who have worked together on the issue.
This brave step puts the Government in direct conflict with the European Commission - which is likely to challenge them on the issue.
The history
In May 2004 Friends of the Earth were contaced by the International Coalition to Protect the Polish Countryside (ICPPC) about starting a GM-free campaign.
By July 2004 the first farmer declared GM-free zones began to appear in Poland.
In November 2004 Malopolska Province become the first Polish region to go GM-free. One by one the other Polish provinces followed - until January 2006 when all 16 regions were declared GM-free.
Finally in May 2006 President Lech Kaczynski signed a parliamentary act banning the trade of GM seeds in Poland. The act also bans the import of GM seeds and their inclusion on the national plant record.
The future
This remarkable step adds further weight to our call for a complete ban on all GM in Europe - and to the unworkable idea of coexistence between GM and non-GM crops.
If you would like to help keep the UK GM-free please join the Real Food email list.
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