As the biotech industry retreats from Europe, countries in Asia and Africa are increasingly being targeted by the industry and its lobbyists with unprecedented backing from the US.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE FARMERS, CONSUMERS, AND CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS OF THAILAND.

Please send URGENT letters of protest (to the addresses below) over the Thai Prime Minister's proposal to end Thailand's existing moratorium on GM crops. *Example letter below*

TIME IS VERY SHORT - the end of the moratorium is due to be approved at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 31st August.

The decision has already been postponed a week because of the protests in Thailand. It's vital we all help keep up the pressure.

If you only have time for one action: click this link: http://www.gmwatch.org/proemail1.asp?id=4

It will take you to a form from where you can quickly send your protest to the Thai Prime Minister.

If you want to find out more about what's happening in Thailand see: http://www.biothai.org/
and http://www.gmwatch.org/asia.asp

PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS

If possible, please also e-mail copies of the letters you send to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CONTACT DETAILS - please also consider sending faxes where possible.
(We have not been able to identify e-mail addreses for all relevant ministers. Many thanks to BIOTHAI for their assistance)

Prime Minister of Thailand:
His Excellency Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra
Government House
Thanon Pissanulok , Dusit
Bangkok, Thailand 10300
Tel. +66-2280-3000
Fax. +66-2-280-1443
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Or send your e-mail by using this link
http://www.gmwatch.org/proemail1.asp?id=4
Messages may also be posted online at:
http://www.rakang.thaigov.go.th/postguest_e.asp

Natural Resources and Environment Minister:
Mr.Suwit Khoonkitti
92 Soi. Phahonyothin 7 Phahonyothin Rd.
Samsennai, Phrayathai, Bangkok, Thailand, 10400
Tel. +66 2278 8503-6
Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
His secretary - Mr.Surasak Anukkaphan Tel. 66-2278-8512

Minister of Commerce:
Mr.Watana Muangsook
44/100 Nonthaburi 1 Rd., Amphur Muang, Nonthaburi 11000
Tel. +66-2547-5263
Fax. +66-2547-5266
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web Master: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Agriculture and Coorperative Minister:
Mr.Somsak Thepsutin
No.3 Rhachadamnernnok Rd.
Ban Panthom, Phranakorn
Bangkok , Thailand 10200
Tel. +66-2281-5955
Fax. +662-280-4266
Feedback to the Ministry of Agriculture: http://www.moac.go.th/english/feedback.htm

Deputy Agriculture and Coorperative Minister:
Mr.Newin Chidchob
No.3 Rhachadamnernnok Rd.
Ban Panthom, Phranakorn
Bangkok , Thailand 10200
Tel. +66-2282-3816
Fax. +66-2281-5082
Feedback to the Ministry of Agriculture: http://www.moac.go.th/english/feedback.htm

Science and Technology Minister:
Mr. Korn Thapparungsri
Phrarama 6 Rd., Rachatewee
Bangkok, Thailand 10400
Tel. +66-2246-0064

Public Health Minister:
Mrs.Sudarat Keyuraphan
Ministry of Public Health
Tiwanonth T.Taladkhawn
Muang, Nonthaburi, Thailand 11000
Tel. +66-2590-2028 +66-2590-2030 +66-2590-2056 +66-2590-2057
Fax. +66-2591-8492

EXAMPLE LETTER
(FOR YOU TO CUSTOMISE IF SHORT OF TIME)

We are writing to express our dismay at the news that you intend to give the green light to GM crops in Thailand. Your doing so risks grave harm both to Thailand's standing in the world and to the marketability of Thai agricultural produce.

We strongly support your exporters, farmers, consumers and civil society groups who are warning you that this is not in the interests of Thailand.

You have talked about the need for Thailand to jump aboard the biotech train before it's too late. This makes us wonder what you have been led to believe about where that train is heading? Were you told, for instance, of a recent report from one of the world's leading business advisory firms, Ernst & Young, showing that publicly traded biotechnology companies in the US are estimated to have suffered cumulative losses of more than $41 billion in the last decade or so?

Were you told that the economist and biotech-industry specialist, Joseph Cortright has described as a "bad-idea virus" the fever that sweeps through political leaders leaving them believing they must succour the money-losing biotech industry or suffer a competitive disadvantage?

Cortright's research on the biotech industry leads him to conclude: "This notion that you lure biotech to your community to save its economy is laughable."

Outside the developing world, GM crops are in serious retreat, as witnessed by Monsanto's recent announcements that it will: Stop all further efforts to introduce GM wheat globally; stop its GM canola breeding programmes in Australia; withdraw its cereal programmes from Europe. Other GM firms, like Bayer and Syngenta, have suffered similar setbacks.

You have said that Europe has opened its doors to GMOs but that is certainly not the view of countries like the US, who are trying to export GM crops to Europe. That is why the US is pressing ahead with its WTO action against the EU.

In fact, the EU has just brought in the world's most stringent rules on GMOs. Many European food companies and supermarkets also have policies of not allowing GMOs in their products.

This is the reason why the biotech industry, with the unprecedented backing of the US government, is trying to push its dubious wares in countries in Asia. Countries like Thailand have become the principal targets of a desperate industry.

GM crop supporters have doubtless told you that you are in danger of falling behind in Asia's "biotech race".

But look more closely and you'll see that that is nonsense. Monsanto has already pulled out of GM in Indonesia, where it is under investigation for corruption. China's political leaders appear at best ambivalent about going further down the GM route because of increasing evidence of consumer hostility while experts like Prof Dayuan Xue warn that GM crops have brought no significant benefits to China's many small farmers. In India the only GM crop commercialised in any part of India, GM cotton, has proven hugely controversial.

One particularly intractable problem for your farmers and exporters is that GM contamination is difficult to contain or avoid, and the costs of trying to do so can be prohibitive. In addition, no studies have been conducted on the long-term effects of GM crops on the environment or on human health.

We therefore ask you not to base your decision solely on the advice of biotech advocates and the demands of Washington and corporations eager to export seeds and products to Thailand that are unwelcome elsewhere in the world. We ask you not to ignore the rights of your farmers and consumers just because of the hype and pressure that is coming from the US and the biotech corporations and their local supporters.

We ask you not to put at risk Thailand's excellent name for quality agricultural produce. And, most of all, we ask you to consult your farmers and consumers about whether they want GM crops.

Signed