NOTE: The recent International Agricultural Assessment - IAASTD - showed the world had to act decisively to improve global agriculture so that we can deal with the massive challenges of poverty, hunger and climate change, and that GM crops are pretty much an irrelevance in terms of that.

In fact, of course, they're far worse than an irrelevance. They're a dangerous and hugely expensive distraction from the real task of implementing effective practical solutions like those recommended by the IAASTD.

EXTRACT: "Given the climate and food crises the world is currently facing, ministers need to protect Europe from the dangerous distraction of GMOs and instead focus on real solutions. We need modern farming methods that ensure higher yields, are more climate-resilient, do not destroy natural resources and can guarantee food security."
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Protect agriculture and stand up against GM crops
Greenpeace International press release, 20 October 2008

*Greenpeace distributes GMO cure to EU environment ministers

Luxembourg / Brussels - The EU is suffering from a debilitating bout of Monsantosis, caused by its lax and unscientific approach to genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Greenpeace warned EU environment ministers meeting in Luxembourg this morning. With ministers locked in crucial discussions on the future of the EU's authorisation system for GM crops, Greenpeace volunteers riding in an ambulance distributed a life-saving GMO first aid kit to help fight off the lies of the agro-biotech industry.

The 'AntiCorp' pills are designed to reduce the effects of corporate lobby viruses and encourage commitments for the protection of health, agriculture, biodiversity and food security. Activists also displayed a giant 'scary maize' banner and a message reading: "GMOs THREATEN FOOD SECURITY - EU ACT NOW".

"The EU is still unable to predict the long-term impact of GM crops on the environment, biodiversity and on our health. EU environment ministers must act now to protect our food and agriculture," said Marco Contiero, Greenpeace EU GMO policy director.

The EU's current authorisation process is fundamentally flawed since it ignores the long-term effects of GMOs, evidence on their biodiversity impacts, diverging scientific opinions and concerns from EU member states. Changes in agricultural practices, loss of traditional farming knowledge and the effects of contamination are also not considered under the EU process.

"EU public opinion is strongly opposed to GMOs and the ministers know it. It 's time they spoke out in favour of improving the current system to stop GMOs from finding their way onto our fields and into the food chain," said Contiero.

Greenpeace calls on environment ministers to ensure that EU legal requirements on GMOs are respected and, in particular, that environmental risk assessments are carried out by independent bodies with the necessary scientific expertise. Greenpeace also urges ministers to put into place measures to avoid seed contamination and allow member states to establish GMO-free areas.

"Given the climate and food crises the world is currently facing, ministers need to protect Europe from the dangerous distraction of GMOs and instead focus on real solutions. We need modern farming methods that ensure higher yields, are more climate-resilient, do not destroy natural resources and can guarantee food security," said Contiero.

Contacts:

Marco Contiero - Greenpeace EU GMO policy director: +32 (0)2 274 1906, +32 (0)477 777 034 (mobile), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Action photo & video images and media queries:

Mark Breddy - Greenpeace EU communications manager: +32 (0)2 274 1903, +32 (0)496 156 229 (mobile), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.