1.African consumers say NO TO GMOS*
2.Consumer Rights Solidarity Rally in Panjim, India
3.Jamaica - Consumers' league wants control of GM foods

*Consumer International Africa Office (CI-ROAF) co-ordinates more than 120 organisations in 46 countries in Africa.

More on World Consumer Rights Day here:
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=4977
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1.World Consumer Rights Day 2005 focus:
African consumers say NO TO GMOS

12 March 2005 Harare, Zimbabwe - On 15 March 2005, World Consumer Rights Day, African consumer organizations, together with consumer groups all over the world, will say NO to GMOs! Consumer International Africa Office (CI-ROAF), directly or through its member organizations, will lobby governments, hold public meetings and street demonstrations to stop the spread of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). They will demand labelling of all GM foods and independent safety testing.

Consumers have a right to information, a right to choice and a right to safety. On 15 March consumer organisations will campaign for labelling of all foods containing or derived from GMOs. They will demand that alternatives to GM foods remain widely available. Ways must be found to establish and secure GM-free areas, and strict rules introduced to prevent contamination of conventional and organic crops. All foods containing or derived from GMOs must be independently tested and subject to international safety guidelines.

Amadou Kanoute, Regional Director for Consumers International Africa Office said: "To date, GM crops do not offer any significant advantages to consumers. It is widely understood that they will not solve the problem of hunger in Africa and the rest of the world.

"There are simple and adequate technologies developed together by African researchers and farmers, which are gaining ground. Unfortunately, those technologies do not enjoy as much promotion and support as their GMO challengers. Let's emphasise on these available alternatives lest we overestimate the ability of science to master the unknown. Consequently, caution and the precautionary principle must be applied when dealing with GMOs."

Consumers International has released three fact sheets, for World Consumer Rights Day, covering key issues on GMOs: Why consumers should take action; Get your food labelled; and "Co-existence" or GM-free zones? CI members are receiving ideas for action, such as events and lobbying, and model letters for international and national authorities and retailers. These materials are available on CI website: www.consumersinternational.org/wcrd
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CI-ROAF has an observer status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and its specialised agencies such as FAO, WHO, Codex Alimentarius as well as with regional institutions such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). CI-ROAF co-ordinates and provides support through research, information networks, publications, regional and international seminars, workshops to more than 120 organisations in 46 countries in Africa.
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2.Consumer Rights Solidarity Rally in Panjim [India]
http://www.goacom.com/news/getStory.php?ID=1516

The Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) is organising a Consumer Rights Solidarity Rally in Panjim on Monday 14th March on the eve of World Consumer Rights Day.

The rally which will have participation of Consumer Forum volunteers from different parts of Goa will highlight the demand of consumer organisations worldwide to stop the spread of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Consumers right to information, right to choice and right to safety will be highlighted. All food containing or derived from GMO's must be independently tested, subject to international safety guidelines and must be clearly labelled.

The Rally will also support the national level crusade against the spread of counterfeit, spurious & adulterated goods and demand action in Goa. Medicines, electrical appliances, food items & cosmetics are the major products affected. The need for surprise checks, quality tests and the insistence for the use of ISI mark are among
the demands.

The Rally will also extend support to the global campaign against the amendment to the Indian Patent Act 1970. The Amendment Bill which is to be discussed in Parliament will impact consumers with the increase in the price of new medicines for cancer, diabetes, AIDS and other ailments.

GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK

an initiative of GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE
to promote civic and consumer rights in Goa

GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507
Tel: 2252660 mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
website: www.goacan.org
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3.Jamaica Gleaner - Consumers' league wants control of genetically modified foods
John Myers Jr., Farmers Weekly Coordinator
March 12, 2005
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20050312/business/business1.html

AS GENETICALLY modified organisms (GMO) become more commonplace, especially in foods for consumption the National Consumers' League (NCL) is intensifying its campaign for the government to order that products be properly labelled.

In commemorating 'World Consumer Rights Day', set for March 15, consumers are being urged to say 'no to GMOs'.

Carlton Stewart, president of the National Consumers' League, said the production of GMOs has become "a big, big problem ... and most people don't know and they don't even want to know about it, but we have seen and been in touch with it and we are really worried."

Dr. Winston Davidson, a public health specialist and chairman of the medical review committee, agreed that the public must be notified of foods that are genetically modified through proper labelling. "The consumer has the right to know what they are getting, and labelling is an important part of that," he stressed. He said while there have been no real research to establish whether or not there are any dangers in consuming genetically modified foods, "we do know that when you artificially modify different biological forms, whether they be plants or animals, you alter the environmental processes which give rise to different levels of species development so you must have an impact." In the absence of concrete evidence to pinpoint any adverse effects, Dr. Davidson said these foods must have an impact on existing forms within the environment.

"I personally am suspicious of all the vegetables and meats that come (imported) to us," the NCL president asserted. "I believe we are being used as a guinea pig not only in Jamaica, but also in the poorer third world countries." According to him, many of the foods being sold for babies in Jamaica are produced from genetically modified foods.

FIRMER TOMATOES

A genetically modified organism is one whose genetic structure has been changed by introducing another gene to make it more desirable. One of the first foods to be genetically modified is the Flavr Savr Tomato, in which a gene was spliced into the DNA to prevent the breakdown of the tomato's cell walls. This resulted in the tomato becoming firmer with a longer shelf life.

According to Mr. Stewart, foods or organisms can be modified using an antibiotic gene attached to a gene gun and a promoter, and the gene shot into the cells of the organism that is being modified. The other method, he said, involves the use of a viral vector which is modified to prevent it from multiplying and then introduced into the organism.

"The only way to protect ourselves is to say to our government that we, the people of Jamaica, have a right to know what we are eating and we are saying to you, label these products so we can determine whether we want to eat them or not," Mr. Stewart said.

Advocates argue that the production of GMOs reduce production costs due to less dependence on chemical and mechanical needs in planting, maintenance, and harvest. Another benefit, they argue, is significant improvements in the nutritional value of foods. One example is the production the 'Golden Rice' which is enriched with beta carotene and iron.

But Mr. Stewart said genetically modifying foods could be harmful for people who are allergic to certain foods. Furthermore, he said such foods have not been fully tested and the results documented to determine their safety for human beings.