1.Greenpeace "contaminates" office
2.Bayer HQ occupied by Greenpeace

QUOTE: "Bayer now says that genetic contamination is unavoidable and we must all accept it. But it's like saying "just a few fire ants won't be a problem". The reality is that GE canola contamination will spread unless urgent action is taken." - Jeremy Tager
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1.Greenpeace "contaminates" office
The Daily Telegraph, July 21 2005
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1274&storyid=3480859

EIGHT Greenpeace activists staged a protest in the office of Bayer CropScience in Melbourne "to show what it's like to have an unwanted presence of contamination".

Greenpeace is demanding the biotech giant take responsibility for a genetic engineering contamination that was revealed in Victoria last week.

"Bayer don't seem to care that their genetically engineered canola has contaminated Australian exports to Japan, so we're here to start holding them accountable," campaigner Jeremy Tager said from outside the building.

"Bayer need to learn that genetic contamination of our food and environment is unacceptable at any level."

To demonstrate the "low level" contamination, Greenpeace said it had one volunteer occupying the Bayer office for every 100 Bayer employees.

The protesters entered the building in suburban Hawthorn about 10am (AEST) and were all believed to have been removed by police before noon.

Comment from Bayer and police was being sought.
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2.Bayer HQ occupied by Greenpeace volunteers
PRESS RELEASE

Melbourne, Thursday July 21, 2005: Greenpeace activists today peacefully occupied the headquarters of Bayer CropScience in Melbourne to demand the biotech giant take responsibility for Australiaís most serious genetic engineering (GE) contamination event that was revealed in Victoria last week.

Eight activists dressed in white 'biohazard' suits entered the Bayer headquarters to demand that the company clean up and take responsibility for it's uncontrolled spread of GE contamination.

"Bayer don't seem to care that their genetically engineered canola has contaminated Australian exports to Japan, so we're here to start holding them accountable," said Jeremy Tager.

"Bayer need to learn that genetic contamination of our food and environment is unacceptable at any level."

On Thursday last week it was revealed that a consignment of Victorian canola seed bound for Japan was contaminated with Bayer's 'Topas' herbicide-resistant GE canola - which is not approved for release in Victoria. The source of the contamination is believed to be either Bayer's GE plantings in Victoria or imported seed from contaminated stocks in the USA.

"Bayer now says that genetic contamination is unavoidable and we must all accept it. But it's like saying "just a few fire ants won't be a problem", said Tager. "The reality is that GE canola contamination will spread unless urgent action is taken."

To demonstrate the reality of GE contamination, we have one Greenpeace volunteer occupying the Bayer office for every hundred Bayer employees - it is a very low level - so by their own logic, surely Bayer wouldn't mind.

"Bayer has put our reputation as a GE free country seriously at risk, and our export markets are under threat, because Bayer can't control its GE organisms or prevent contamination."

"GE canola is a contamination nightmare Australia doesn't need," said Tager. "Bayer must control the products it designs, patents, makes and sells and must take full responsibility for any harm or contamination that they cause."

Contacts in Melbourne today:

Greenpeace GE Campaigner Jeremy Tager 0438 679 263
Greenpeace Media Officer Carolin Wenzel 0417 668 957

IMAGES - //:photos.greenpeace.org.au user: photos Pword: green Greenpeace AV Coord, Michelle Thomas [in NZ] ph: 0404 096 556