Initiative mobilizes against agro-genetic engineering

The "diversity life" initiative calls for halting agro-genetic engineering now

15/02/2011

The Federal Government is apparently still firmly committed to agro-genetic engineering: In 2011, the cultivation of the genetic potato Amflora will continue. At EU level, there are currently 28 authorization procedures for the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). And that despite the fact that, according to a survey commissioned by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, 87 percent of Germans reject green genetic engineering. Therefore, representatives of the Vielfalterleben initiative want to submit a petition to the German Bundestag in February. The goal: An addition oratory for agro-genetic engineering. "Divers life" is one of the largest alliances against agro-genetic engineering and for the preservation of diversity. At the initiative of Alnatura, more than 100 partners (including WWF, Bioland, Rapunzel, Lebensbaum, Hess Natur, Weleda) are working together. All GMO-critical consumers are called upon to participate with their voice in the actions of Vielfalterleben. "Agro-genetic engineering is a risk to humans and the environment," said Felix Prinz zu Löwenstein, chairman of the Federal Organic Food Industry (BÖLW), petitioner of the public petition and political representative of the initiative. "It must be ensured that agriculture and food production without agro-genetic engineering are possible in the long term. And so long may this technique not be used. "

The moratorium is in the view of GM opponents mandatory because the previous approval procedure for GMOs is deficient and non-transparent. Because the responsible European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) does not carry out its own investigations, but only examines the studies carried out by the agro-industry itself. Meaningful long-term studies on the risks of genetically modified plants on the environment and health are lacking. On top of that, EFSA is being left with a lack of neutrality in the field of genetic engineering, as many experts of the EU authority have previously worked for the agro-industry. EFSA has never rejected a marketing authorization application for genetically modified plants. The EU environment ministers therefore in 2008 described the test methods for gene plants as inadequate.

The commercial cultivation of genetically engineered plants began in 1996 in the United States. Since then, the agro-genetic engineering has spread rapidly, especially in high-revenue crops such as soybeans, corn, cotton and rapeseed. Currently, 25 countries are producing genetically modified organisms, most notably the USA, Brazil, Argentina, India and Canada. Within the EU, the area under cultivation for GMO crops is declining. Since 1998, genetically modified Bt maize (MON810) and since 2010 the GM potato Amflora have been approved for cultivation. In Germany and seven other EU countries, the cultivation of MON810 is currently prohibited. Federal Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner called the ban a precautionary measure to protect consumers in 2009, stating, "I conclude that there is good reason to believe that genetically modified MON810 maize represents a threat to the environment."

Agro-genetic engineering is causing massive ecological, social and economic problems: diversity in nature has been demonstrably reduced through the use of genetic engineering; Farmers become economically dependent through patented gene plants and organic farming is threatened in the medium term. Studies with Bt maize show that bacterial toxin secreted by the gene plant also acts against earthworms, butterflies and numerous beneficial insects. On top of that, the pest repellent does not work as expected. Because after some time insect insects, such as the cotton bollworm, develop resistance to the toxins constantly present through the Bt maize.

Thus, the alleged advantage of these gene plants, namely a reduced use of chemical sprays, disappears again after a short time. The increasing use of GMOs also puts those farmers in distress who want nothing to do with genetic engineering. Pollen, transport or storage may cause unwanted contamination. As a result, the coexistence of agro-genetic engineering and GMO-free agriculture is virtually impossible. This is where the "diversity life" initiative comes in. Allies are committed to preserving freedom of choice and diversity. At the start of the campaign at the trade fair Biofach on February 15, 2011 in Nuremberg, Germany, a signing campaign against agro-genetic engineering lasting several months begins, addressed to Federal Minister Ilse Aigner. This will be accompanied by a public online petition. The expected start of the subscription period is at the end of March 2011. The aim is to collect at least 50,000 signatures in the first three weeks in order to reach a public hearing before the Petitions Committee of the German Bundestag. On the central website of the campaign www.vielfalterleben.info interested parties can now find all important information as well as the current dates and hands-on options. (Pm)

Picture credits: Action logo of the initiative.