----- forwarded message -----
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 13:23:56 +0200
From: info <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Thailand bans the release of genetically engineered crops
----- forwarded message -----
Subject: [EF!] Thailand bans the release of genetically engineered crops
Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2001 22:26:16 -0700
From: Hayduke Rocks! <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: EF! biotech <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Earth First! alert
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Thailand bans the release of genetically engineered crops into the environment
Bangkok/London, 6th April 2001 - Greenpeace today
applauded the Thai Government�s decision to stop the release of
all Genetically Engineered (GE) crops into the environment and no
longer allow any GE field trials in Thailand. With this decision
Thailand takes the lead in Asia to protect its environment,
biodiversity and farmers from genetic pollution.
The cabinet of the Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra decided to
instruct the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to halt all
approvals for GE field trials (1). The decision should also mark the
end of ongoing field trials on GE cotton and GE corn, conducted
by agribusiness giant Monsanto, the second largest seed provider
in Thailand (2). Thailand has already banned all commercial
growing of GE crops on its territory (3).
�Thailand�s biodiversity is unique and precious. It is our culture,
our food and our future. Greenpeace congratulates this
Government action to protect our food and fields from the dangers
of genetic engineering and encourages other ASEAN
governments to follow. We demand that Monsanto respects this
decision and terminates their existing field trials,� said ecologist Dr
Jiragorn Gajaseni, Executive Director of Greenpeace South East
Asia.
By making this bold decision Thailand can avoid the environmental
and economic problems already being experienced by those
countries that have adopted GE crops. In Canada GE canola is
developing into a major weed problem, which requires the use of
conventional toxic herbicides for removal. In the United States
over a billion dollars have been spent trying to recall a genetically
engineered potentially allergenic Starlink corn, which
contaminated 430 million bushels of harvest.
In order to truly assure Thailand�s GE free status, Greenpeace
calls on the government to now urgently check and control
remaining imports of genetically engineered food and
commodities, such as corn and soybeans from the US.
�Thailand has taken the first step to protect Asia from the threat
of genetic engineering. The message is clear: The only way to
prevent genetic pollution from GE crops is never to plant them in
the first place,� said Auaiporn Suthonthanyakorn, Greenpeace GE
campaigner for South East Asia.
For more information: In Thailand: Auaiporn Suthonthanyakorn,
Greenpeace Genetic Engineering Campaigner, Thailand, Mob:
+6618207006; Isabelle Meister, Greenpeace International GE
campaigner, Mob: +41794184455;
Greenpeace International Press Office, Teresa Merilainen, Tel:
+31205236637
{ HYPERLINK http://www.greenpeace.org }http://www.greenpeace.org
Decisionof the Prime Minister 50/2001, made on 3 April is an
instruction and it translates: the Ministry of Agriculture and
Cooperative to halt all GE crop field trials. On the same day it
was decided to set up a panel to draft a biosafety act,
farmers, consumers and academics will participate in this
panel.
(2) In 2000, the two GE crops allowed for field testing in Thailand
were Monsanto's Bt (bacillus thuriengiensis) Bollgard cotton
and Monsanto's Bt corn, both genetically engineered to kill
insects. For the Bt Bollgard cotton, Monsanto has a permit to
conduct field trials for this and the next year. Monsanto�s field
trials have been contested by Thai farmers� organisations and
environmental groups.
(3) In October 1999, the Thai Economic Policy Committee
decided to ban the import of GE seeds for commercial cultivation,
but continued to allow research-oriented imports. The ban will
continue until GMOs are scientifically proven to be safe.
end
For information on Greenpeace please visit:
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-----------
For more information on this press release please contact:
Greenpeace International Press Office
T: ++ 31 20 5249515
F: ++ 31 20 5236212
--
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