Archived press release

Shoppers say 'no!' to genetically modified food

25 April 1997

Friends of the Earth local groups throughout the country will be joining with consumer and citizen organisations worldwide tomorrow (Saturday, 26 April,1997) in an international protest against genetically modified food. The protests - part of the 'Global Week of Action against Genetically Modified Food' - are designed to quiz supermarkets over the labelling of produce that has been genetically-engineered [1]. Many supermarkets have failed to source and label common foodstuffs that are guaranteed free from genetically engineered material and shoppers will be urged to reject suspect produce [2]. Friends of the Earth's arguments against genetically-engineered foodstuffs include:

A Crime Against Consumer Choice: Genetically engineered soya beans from the US have not been segregated from the conventional crop. Soya oil, flour and lecithin are widely used in around 60% of all processed foods so everything from bread and biscuits to babyfood and beer could contain genetically engineered soya products. Because the engineered beans haven't been segregated, supermarkets and food processors say they can't meaningfully label their products one way or the other, thus invalidating consumer choice.[3]

New Uses For Old Pesticides: The vast majority of current applications of genetic engineering in agricultural crops are for engineering-in pesticide resistance, thus maintaining farmers' dependence on chemicals. The soya beans have been genetically engineered by US agrochemical giant Monsanto to be resistant to their herbicide Round-Up. This will allow Monsanto to sell farmers a profitable package of the resistant soya seed plus the pesticide. There are no apparent benefits to the consumer.[4]

Robin Maynard, Local Campaigns Director at Friends of the Earth, said:

'There is no consumer need or demand for these unnatural products. They serve no social interest or purpose. Genetic engineering is a morally and scientifically questionable technology. Supermarkets need to get the message that people don't want to eat stuff out of a test tube and pass that back to the likes of Monsanto. After BSE, you'd think the food industry would know better than to slip 'hidden' ingredients down people's throats'. [5]

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] The Global Week of Action against Genetically Modified Food was initiated by the Pure Food Campaign in the US. Actions are taking place in over 25 countries worldwide.

In Austria last week 1.2 million people voted in a national referendum against the release of genetically engineered organisms into food and the environment. Austria and Luxembourg are currently blocking the introduction of genetically engineered maize from the US. An opinion poll conducted by AGB McNair in New Zealand revealed this week that 60 per cent of New Zealanders are 'worried' about eating genetically engineered food.In a MORI poll conducted in January 1997, 53 per cent of people in the UK disagreed with the statement, 'I personally would be happy to eat genetically modified food.'

[2] Friends of the Earth has 250 local groups nationwide. Local group members will be visiting supermarkets to express their concern over the failure to label produce containing genetically engineered material. Nationally, FOE has written to the supermarkets demanding immediate labelling of all genetically engineered produce and the separation of genetically engineered and non-engineered ingredients in the supply chain. FOE also supports the call from consumer and citizen groups for a moratorium on the granting of rights to grow and market genetically engineered crops in the UK and throughout the European Union.

[3] The genetically engineered soya beans only made up 2% of last season's overall US soya crop. Monsanto (the producer) and Cargill (the main trader and shipper) say that they couldn't be kept separate from the non-engineered beans. Yet Monsanto asked farmers to keep genetically engineered soya separate to hold back enough beans to save as seed.

[4] During 1993-4, herbicide resistance was the most sought after trait for genetically engineered crops in all 14 OECD countries. Monsanto's patent on its herbicide Round-Up runs out in 2000. By creating a Round-Up ready soya bean, the company has effectively extended the profitability of its herbicide.

[5] A research project on consumer attitudes to genetically engineered food carried out for Unilever by the Centre for the Study of Environmental Change, Lancaster University, found little enthusiasm for the genetic engineers' food products,
'The overall impression...is that there is currently little public enthusiasm for biotechnology overall or for GMO-based consumer products in particular. At best... a minority of people appear to feel an uneasy curiousity about its potential value in relation to food. But more frequently, they are anxious at what they perceive to be an intrinsically unsettling technology for which little apparent social need exists, but behind which are sensed to be commercial interests concerned to reap substantial benefits.'
Uncertain World, GMOs, Food and Public Attitudes in Britain, Centre for the Study of Environmental Change, Unilever, Green Alliance, March 1997

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