The Hindu : Gene campaign opposes import of GM rice into E.U.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 07, 2004

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Gene campaign opposes import of GM rice into E.U.

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 6. Non-governmental organisations, Gene Campaign and Friends of the Earth have objected to a proposal for granting permission to a multi-national company by the European Commission for importing genetically modified (GM) rice into the European Union as "cattle feed."

They petitioned the EC last week that such a move would have grave implications for the natural rice germplasm in the rice-growing regions of the developing world where the export markets are being created through this move.

The multi-national, Bayer CropScience Limited, headquartered in Germany, has sought permission to import and process genetically modified herbicide-resistant rice (LLRice62) into the E.U. not for cultivation, because it does not intend to grow this rice in Europe, even though rice is cultivated in five E.U. member States. These are: Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal and France.

The fear is that this rice would be imported from India, paving the way for the cultivation of genetically modified rice in its centre of origin, i.e., India, and thus leading to genetic contamination of the native gene pools and jeopardising world food security. India is involved in research in GM rice in the public and private sectors. Other countries where such research is on are Bangladesh, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, the Director of Gene Campaign, Suman Sahai, said that it was particularly ironic that India and other centres of diversity for rice could end up jeopardising their principal food source for producing "animal feed" to support the meat consumption of the West. The risks involve causing allergy, toxicity and even gene sterility.

"There is something decidedly unethical about Bayer wanting to protect the few rice-growing states of the E.U. by not seeking permission for cultivation in Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal or France. It is willing to put at risk the food staple of the poor countries to support the unsustainable consumption of the West," she said.

Developing countries such as India where rice is grown have a weak or even non-existent regulatory framework for GMOs. Farmers in such countries are not aware of the larger issues and the possible implications of GM rice in their fields and, thus, are not really able to take an informed decision on whether or not to grow the rice, Dr. Sahai added.

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