World Consumer Rights Day 2005 focus on GMOs

On 15 March 2005, World Consumer Rights Day, consumer organisations all over the world will say NO to GMOs!

1.ACTION AND RESOURCES FOR WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY
2.New press release: World Consumer Rights Day 2005 focus on GMOs
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1.ACTION AND RESOURCES FOR WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY
http://www.consumersinternational.org/News_Events/world.asp?cat=22®ionid=135

+Fact sheets (pdf files)

*GMOs: Why consumers should take action explains genetic engineering and its prevalence. It also summarises consumer concerns about GMOs including: the role of subsidies, corporate ownership, patents, unsubstantiated claims and labelling.
http://www.consumersinternational.org/document_store/Doc1251.pdf

*GMOs: Get your food labelled provides information on models of labelling and current GMO labelling regulations.
http://www.consumersinternational.org/document_store/Doc1250.pdf

*GMOs: 'Co-existence' or GM-free zones explains contamination concerns, provides example cases of contamination of GM-free crops, and GM-free zone initiatives.
http://www.consumersinternational.org/document_store/Doc1249.pdf

+Action plan

Call for action on GMOs gives suggestions on influencing policy makers and other important decision makers, and how to make the public and media aware of the problems with GM foods.
http://www.consumersinternational.org/document_store/Doc1256.doc

+Model letters

For a selection of pre-prepared anti-GMO letters, click here: http://www.consumersinternational.org/documents_asp/ViewACategory_levelBelowOnly.asp?regid=135&CategoryID=971&langID=1

Please keep This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. informed of any letters you send.

+Other resources

Center for Food Safety Charts: Genetically Engineered Crops and Foods - Worldwide Regulation and Prohibition.
http://www.consumersinternational.org/document_store/Doc1259.pdf

Corporate control of the food chain: the GM link
http://www.consumersinternational.org/documents_asp/ViewADocument.asp?regid=135&ID=957&categoryid=699&langID=1

+Codex contact points

Who to write to: Your country representatives at the Codex meeting 9-13 May 2005.
http://www.consumersinternational.org/document_store/Doc1258.pdf
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2.World Consumer Rights Day 2005 focus on GMOs
For immediate release
Date: 11 March 2005

It is four days to go until World Consumer Rights Day on 15 March when Consumers International (CI) member organisations will act to stop the spread of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). From as far and wide as Lebanon to Switzerland, Thailand to the UK, they will demand that GM-free crops are protected, GM products are labelled, and international safety standards are followed.

Consumers have a right to information, a right to choice and a right to safety. On Tuesday 15 March consumer organisations will campaign for these rights to be respected. There must be guarantees that conventional and organic foods survive and remain widely available. GM-free areas need to be established and secured, and strict rules introduced to prevent contamination of GM-free crops. All foods containing or derived from GMOs must be independently tested and subject to international safety guidelines. They must also be clearly labelled.

Public opinion polls show that consumers are concerned about GM foods because of potential risks to human health. GM technology involves transferring genes between unrelated species which is completely different from existing conventional breeding techniques and has yet to be proven safe. Other major concerns are increased control of the food chain by corporations, and misleading claims about solving food supply problems and about the benefits of GMOs to farmers.

David Cuming, CI GM Campaign Manager says: 'The insertion of GMOs into foodstuffs threatens fundamental consumer rights. CI is concerned about GMOs because we have yet to see tangible benefits for consumers and farmers, while there are potential long-term risks. We campaigned on this issue in the past and it remains at the top of the consumer agenda.'

CI 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 campaigning on the streets, lobbying their governments and delegates, sending letters to international and national authorities and retailers, increasing public awareness and organising debates. Examples of World Consumer Right Day activities include:

* In the UK CI are sending postcards to the delegates of Codex (the committee responsible for international food standards).
* Consumers of Lebanon have organised a TV talk show to be hosted on anb channel.
* In Switzerland, Stiftung Für Konsumentenschutz will distribute information in the market place about GMOs, and campaign outside parliament as MPs hold a debate on GMOs in agriculture.
* In Thailand, Foundation for Consumers are holding a forum in Parliament and will demonstrate in front of FDA of the Public Health.
* In Spain, FACUA (Consumers in Action) have launched a website.

These are just a few examples of the activities of CI members on World Consumer Rights Day 2005.

For more information please contact Julia Crosfield or see: www.consumersinternational.org/wcrd

About Consumers International
Consumers International is a federation of consumer organisations dedicated to the protection and promotion of consumer's rights worldwide through empowering national consumer groups and campaigning at the national level. It currently represents over 250 organisations in 115 countries. For more information, see: www.consumersinternational.org

Contact: Julia Crosfield
Tel: +44 20 7226 6663 ext.212
Mobile: 07932 563 491
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