permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <lfl@intrex.net>]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[SANET-MG] First on-line worldwide register of GM 
contamination incidents launched today
Date:   Wed, 1 Jun 2005 11:49:33 -0400
From:   Evon Kochey <sydney151@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Reply-To: 	Sustainable Agriculture Network Discussion Group 
<SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU>
To:     SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU



http://www.ems.org/nws/2005/06/01/first_on_line_wo
Source: GeneWatch UK and Greenpeace International
Posted by: Greenpeace International - archive
Posted on: Jun 1, 2005 @ 2:31 am[printer-friendly]


First on-line worldwide register of GM contamination incidents
launched today

London, 1 June 2005 -- GeneWatch UK and Greenpeace International
launched the first on-line register of genetically modified (GM)
contamination incidents today (www.gmcontaminationregister.org). The
on-line, searchable web site gives details of all the known cases of
GM contamination of food, animal feed, seeds and wild plants that have
taken place worldwide. (1)

"No Government or international agency has yet established a public
record of contamination incidents or of other problems associated with
GM crops. Turning a blind eye is not good enough when dealing with a
technology like GM because it involves the uncontrolled release of
living organisms into the environment," said Dr. Sue Mayer, GeneWatch
UK's Director. "We hope this register will form an important resource
for citizens and regulators in the future."

Since their introduction in 1996, GM crops have contaminated our food,
animal feed and seeds across the globe. 62 incidents of illegal or
unlabelled GM contamination have been documented in 27 countries on
five continents, and those are only the recorded incidents. The
register also gives links to more information about the incidents and
associated agricultural problems that arise from them.

"This register is being launched at the moment when governments are
meeting in Montreal to decide on international liability regulations
for GM crops. The sheer number of contamination incidents collected in
the register to date makes it clear that unless states take action to
set strict rules now, GM crops will further spiral out of control,"
said Doreen Stabinsky, GM campaigner for Greenpeace International.

Highlights from the register:
* 27 countries have experienced a total of 62 cases of GM
contamination of food, animal feed, seeds or wild plants.
* The largest number of contamination incidents have taken place in
the USA (11 incidents).
* Contamination from 'Starlink' maize was found in seven countries:
USA; Canada; Egypt; Bolivia; Nicaragua; Japan; and South Korea.
* Illegal releases of GM crops into the environment or food chain have
taken place in India (cotton), Brazil (cotton and soya), China (rice),
Croatia (maize), Europe, Germany (papaya) and Thailand (cotton and
papaya).
* Six cases of negative agricultural side-effects have been recorded
including deformed cotton bolls and the emergence of herbicide
tolerant 'super-weeds'.

For more information:
Dr. Sue Mayer, GeneWatch UK +44 1298 871898
Doreen Stabinsky, Greenpeace International +1 202 285 7398

Notes to editors:
(1) Genetically modified (GM) organisms are also known as genetically
engineered (GE) organisms.