permaculture

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

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [SANET-MG] GMO Moratorium: The way forward for Europe
Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 06:27:23 -0400
From: jcummins <jcummins@UWO.CA>
Reply-To: Sustainable Agriculture Network Discussion Group              <SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU>, jcummins 
<jcummins@UWO.CA>
To: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU

*GMO Moratorium: The way forward for Europe*

*The participants of the 5th European Conference of GMO-Free Regions
“Food and* *Democracy” call for an EU-wide moratorium on the
authorization and the* *commercial** **planting of genetically modified
organisms (GMOs). In the wake of six* *EU member states banning the
planting of MON810 and in light of the rapid* *increase** **in GMO-free
regions in **Europe**, there has never been a better moment for* *a**
**moratorium than now.*

This moratorium should be used to:

• rethink EU legislation and strengthen regional self-determination;

• redefine risk assessment according to the precautionary principle
while considering

socio-economic impacts; and

• support GMO-free, diverse agriculture and ensure food sovereignty.

We call upon agro-chemical companies to no longer abuse the problem of
world hunger in order to justify the introduction of GMOs. Practical
experience belies this misleading propaganda, which we consider to be
false and unethical.

The participants of the 5th European Conference of GMO-Free Regions
conclude in the closing session of “Food and Democracy” that:

• GMO-free agriculture and food are in accordance with the will of the
majority of citizens in Europe; and

• sustainable food production which eschews the use of genetic
engineering is the best strategy for farmers and consumers, both today
and tomorrow.

We are grateful to the citizens of Switzerland, who point the way for
all of Europe with their democratic decision to instate a moratorium on
the cultivation of GMOs.

/ /

/This final declaration was adopted by the 250 participants from 28
countries./