"By relying on traditional crops, we have coped with years of drought and never faced hunger. We have adapted our crops to local conditions and grow our food on marginal soils with no irrigated water," says Indian farmer Sammamma Bidakanne, "Our ability to save and re-use traditional seeds is the basis of our biodiversity and food security - all this is threatened by GM crops."
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Can GMOs End World Hunger? - Farmers, scientists and policy analyst from the developing world say no!
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2005/09/c2681.html

OTTAWA, March 9 /CNW Telbec/ - In meetings with Canadian government officials in Ottawa today, farmers, scientists, and policy specialists from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East will call on the government to review its use of genetically modified (GM) crops as a tool for sustainable development.

The international delegation will join several Canadian civil society groups to express concerns over Canada's aggressive promotion of GM crops in developing countries. Delegation members will also address important misconceptions about the ability of GM foods to alleviate hunger.

"The Canadian government is under the false impression that GMOs play a positive role in its sustainable development initiatives in the developing world," says Anna Paskal of Inter Pares, "It is clear from the experiences of members of this delegation that GM crops are not the solution to poverty and hunger; in fact, they can make the problem worse."

Resistance to GMOs in Africa made the headlines in 2002 when Zambia rejected GM food aid at a time of critical food shortages in parts of the country.

"Despite pressure from around the world, the Zambian government maintains that it has made a responsible decision by not accepting GMO food aid. We argue that the long-term impacts of GMOs and products derived from them are not fully understood and, therefore, safety and caution should take precedence over other interests including international trade agreements," says Dr. Mwananyanda Mbikusita Lewanika, Executive Director of the National Institute for Scientific & Industrial Research in Zambia.

Small farmers develop and use their own seeds, and GM contamination and the resulting loss of biodiversity are key concerns. "By relying on traditional crops, we have coped with years of drought and never faced hunger. We have adapted our crops to local conditions and grow our food on marginal soils with no irrigated water," says Indian farmer Sammamma Bidakanne, "Our ability to save and re-use traditional seeds is the basis of our biodiversity and food security - all this is threatened by GM crops."

"This exchange is particularly timely, as the federal government is currently developing a 'pro-poor' science strategy en route to the G8 summit in Edinburgh this July. Agricultural biotechnology is a central element in this strategy," says Pat Mooney of ETC Group, "Canada must consider the critical perspectives of those in developing countries when developing future policies on these issues."

Following a day-long, closed-door meeting with Canadian government officials, the international delegation will speak at a public forum at the
Ottawa Congress Centre at 7PM. They will also be addressing MPs at a Parliamentary Breakfast tomorrow morning.

International delegation:

- Dr. Mwananyanda Mbikusita Lewanika, National Institute for Scientific & Industrial Research, Zambia
- Ibrahim Coulibaly, Association of Professional Producers of Mali
- Camila Montecinos, GRAIN, Chile
- Masanagari Narsamma, farmer, India
- Begari Sammamma, farmer, India
- Periyapatna Venkatasubbaiah Satheesh, Deccan Development Society, India
- Melina Hernandez Sosa, Union de Organizaciones de la Sierra Juarez de Oaxaca, Mexico
- Dr. Melaku Worede, Ex - gene-bank Director, Ethiopia

The Working Group on Canada's Policy with regards to Agricultural Biotechnology and Developing Countries:

Canadian Organic Growers, Council of Canadians, ETC Group, Greenpeace, Inter Pares, The National Farmers Union, Polaris Institute, Social Justice Committee, United Church of Canada, and the Unitarian Services Committee (USC) Canada.

For further information: Laura Sewell, Media Officer, (613) 233-2773, x234, cell (613)795-8685, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.