Hi! Forwarding this message - thought some members would like to know about it and help! Thanks! Angela ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To Colleagues all Over the World Concerned with Transgenic Plants and Foods: Help defend our victory against deregulating transgenic foods in Brazil! IDEC- the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Defense is struggling to guarantee food safety and adequate labelling of transgenic products in Brazil. We have had an important victory in the courts, where we obtained a temporary restraining order prohibiting the government from authorizing the planting and marketing of Monsanto's transgenic Roundup Ready soybeans. Nevertheless. Monsanto, a powerful multinational, may manage to get this decision struck down. In September, the Brazilian government was about to authorize the first request for large-scale cultivation when this decision was obtained. It was based on the fact that the related issues of food safety, labelling and marketing of these transgenic plants and derived food products has not yet been adequately regulated, and that other legislation demands both studies of environmental impact and information for consumers. This judicial decision had a great deal of impact nationally. Farmers, independent scientists and consumers approved the decision. Some sectors of business, such as the large Carrefour supermarket chain demonstrated their concern about the marketing of genetically manipulated products without labelling and "segregation" of normal soy from genetically manipulated soy products in the distribution process. Nevertheless, as expected, Monsanto has dedicated an enormous effort to convince the Federal Government that Roundup Ready soy is identical to natural soy and therefore does not need to be labelled. They also allege that biotech plants are the solution to world hunger, and finally that they are accepted in developed countries. We need to step up the pressure to keep Monsanto from reversing this important victory. The support of organizations and individuals from around the world is essential. It would be most helpful if you can 1) Spread this information rapidly throughout the mass media 2) Send letters and faxes to the Brazilian Federal government demonstrating concern about the government's position against labelling of genetically modified foodstuffs -- letting them know that your country doesn't want to eat them -- this is especially important since Brazil is the world's second largest producer of soybeans and is a major exporter of soybeans as well as other agricultural products -- and suggesting strict rules requiring labelling and related rules on food safety. The following is a short summary which can be used as a press release and a list of Brazilian government agencies which should receive letters and faxes. For additional information contact Andrea Lazzarini at IDEC- S�o Paulo. Telephone 55-11-3872-8790, Fax: 55-11-3862-9844 or e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press release: A new chapter in the fight to regulate genetically manipulated foods was opened by a ground-breaking judicial decision in Brazil, the world's second largest producer of soybeans, which temoporarily prohibits the government from authorizing the planting and marketing of Monsanto's genetically manipulated Roundup Ready soybeans. This decision was obtained by the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Defense after Monsanto petitioned the government to deregulate its product, whose only purpose in life is to make soy more resistent to the herbicide glyphosate, also marketed by Monsanto and thereby greatly increase profits. IDEC's main argument's were related to the lack of regulations of food safety, labelling and marketing for these genetically manipulated products, as well as the need for studies of environmental impact required by law. Monsanto claims that its product will help solve word hunger, that OGMs are acceptable in developed countries and that IDEC's position is ignorant. This in spite of the fact that the vast increase in pesticide use over the years has clearly not solved the hunger problem and the growing opposition in Europe and other countries to consuming genetically modified products. Many organizations in Brazil, such as Greenpeace and movements of housewives and other community organizations are taking up this discussion in order to guarantee the consumer's right to information and choice, and to prevent harm to health and the environment from those genetically manipulated products which bring no benefit to humanity. Addresses for letters and faxes to be sent: We are inviting our world colleagues to send messages to the Brazilian Federal Authorities in order to let them know the human and environmental effects of genetically modified food and plants, the position of other organizations from all over, and whatever else you might find important. Monsanto and others'companies pressure is strongly based on the fact that developed countries approve transgenic food. We believe it is about time to show the other side of the international arguments and discussion! The addresses are: (Presidency of Brazil) Exmo. Sr. Prof. Dr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso (address:) Pra�a dos Tr�s Poderes, Pal�cio do Planalto 4� andar, Bras�lia - Distrito Federal - Brazil - cep: 70.150-900 (Ministry of Health) Exmo. Sr. Dr. Jos� Serra (address:) Esplanada dos Minist�rios, Bloco G, 5� andar, Bras�lia - Distrio Federal - Brazil - cep: 70.058-900 (Ministry of Agriculture) Exmo. Sr. Dr. Francisco S�rgio Turra (address:) Esplanada dos Minist�rios, Bloco D, 8� andar, Bras�lia - Distrito Federal - Brazil - cep: 70.043-900 (Ministry of Environment) Exmo. Sr. Dr. Gustavo Krause (address:) Esplanada dos Minist�rios, Bloco B, 5� andar, Bras�lia - Distrito Federal - Brazil - cep: 70.068-900 (Ministry of Justice) Exmo. Sr. Renan Calheiros (address:) Esplanada dos Minist�rios, Bloco T, 4� andar, Bras�lia - Distrito Federal - Brazil - cep: 70.064-900 ------------------------------------------ Kristin Dawkins Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy 2105 First Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55404 USA Central tel: (612) 870-0453 Direct tel: (612) 870-3410 Fax: (612) 870-4846 [EMAIL PROTECTED] URL: http://www.iatp.org Kathy Hiltsley Program Assistant Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy 2105 1st Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55404 Direct Phone: 612-870-3455 IATP Ph. 612-870-0453 IATP fax. 612-870-4846 http://www.iatp.org email:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
