Shameful EU plans for growing GM crops5 March 2003
Friends of the Earth attacked EU Commission plans launched by Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler to allow GM crops to be grown along side conventional and organic crops. The controversial plans for the co-existence of GM, conventional and organic crops says that non-GM farmers such as organic producers would end up paying for taking measures to prevent GM contamination. Research last year showed that the costs for organic growers could increase by 41 per cent.
Co-existence is not only an economic problem. It ignores the environmental consequences of GM contamination or the impact it will have on consumer choice. European scientists have already stated that if GM crops are grown on a large scale then consumer choice will be threatened.
GM-free areas or countries should be excluded. The number of areas and regions wishing to be GM-free are growing throughout Europe. The Commission, whilst agreeing that this is an effective way of reducing GM contamination, opposes such moves.
The Commission also hints strongly that contamination of organic foods by GMOs should be permitted. Under current EU law, no contamination of organic food by GM material is allowed. European consumers have already made their opposition to GM foods clear with 71 per cent saying they do not want it.
"These dreadful proposals would give the biotech industry a licence to pollute our food, farming and the environment. European consumers have made it clear that they don't want GM crops - but if Fischler gets his way we will have to pay much more to avoid eating them," said Friends of the Earth's GM Campaigner, Pete Riley. "Growing GM crops will cause chaos in the countryside. Farmers will be in conflict with each other over the right to grow GM-free crops. The Commission must make it absolutely clear that the cost of GM pollution must be paid by biotech firms and those growing GM crops, and not by non-GM farmers and consumers."
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