GE - Green Parties of Europe call for moratorium

[Gptypress@aol.com (by way of genetics <genetics@gn.apc.org>)]

GE - Green Parties of Europe call for moratorium

1st March 1999.  For immediate release.

GREEN PARTIES OF EUROPE CALL ON THEIR OWN MINISTERS TO INITIATE EURO-WIDE GM
MORATORIUM AND IMPORT BAN

The European Greens have reacted to Monsanto's boast that next year 100% of
the USA's 60 million acre soya crop will be genetically modified by demanding
a halt to all US GM soya imports and instead seek other sources that are GM
free.

The Second Congress of the European Federation of Green Parties, representing
thirty national parties across Europe, ended yesterday in Paris.  It called on
its elected Environment Ministers from Germany, France, Italy and Finland, to
implement its proposals at the Environment Council meeting starting on March
11th.  The proposals include a ban on the import of GM soya from the USA, a
five-year moratorium on GM crops and animal feed, a thorough reassesment of
the risks to human health and the environment, and a 'comprehensive and
coherent' labelling scheme for all existing products.

Dr Caroline Lucas, a delegate at the Congress and prospective European
Parliamentary candidate for SE England, said today: 'Britain and the rest of
Europe must have the right to halt imports that threaten our health,
environment and economy.  British people want protection, for themselves and
their children, from being force fed GM foods without their knowledge.

'The Greens alone, demand changes to the trade rules of the World Trade
Organisation so that our citizens can be adequately protected.  This is what
distinguishes the Greens from the UK Government with its pro big-business
approach to GM foods and from all the other parties with their passive
acceptance of globalisation, despite its adverse effects on jobs, the economy
and the environment.'

/ends

For further information contact:
Caroline Lucas - 0802 721996 (mobile) or 01993 891741 (home).
Kevin Saunders, Chief Press Officer - 01404 549101 (Devon office) or 07957
447672 (mobile).

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