Dalli faces protests as EU approves genetically modified potatoes

Natasha Borg

Mar 5th 2010, 13:09

Our politicians have started their rampage on the rape of Europe - it is her turn, now that they have defiled Malta, leaving her in rags...

Mikiel Sciberras

Mar 4th 2010, 21:15

Slowly but surely Europe/EU is being dismantled from the inside. Our governments and leaders do not respond to the wishes of their people anymore – they just sent out the Police in their riot-gear and press on with their agendas.

Corporations, those artificially created legal entities, trump the rights of living breathing human beings every time. Genetically Modified foods are a prime example. The splicing of genes and the insertion of genes from different species, even grossing the animal and vegetable barriers, such as inserting pig or even human genes in fruits and vegetables like soya, potatoes or tomatoes, posses a hazard to humanity and indeed to the whole of planet and creation itself.

I guess the relentless corporate lobbying (a euphemism for ‘palm greasing’) is finally having the desired results.

What is ironic, is that the Church remains silent about this abomination and gross misconduct by “humans playing God”, interfering with God’s handiwork – or is it ‘evil’ and ‘against nature’ only when it involves human reproduction and women’ bodies?

It is frightened how, more than 60 years on, Mussolini’s vision of “Corporatism” – a world ruled solely by and for the benefit of Big Business, is coming true.

C.R. Taliana

Mar 4th 2010, 16:37

If I am not mistaken these potatoes will not be on the market for eating consumption, but could be used to feed animals in rearing farms. Jekk ma tghaddix mill-bieb tipprova tghaddi mit-tieqa u tispicca fuq il-platt taghna. Ghamlet sew l-Italja m'accettatx!

J Galea

Mar 4th 2010, 15:37

@ Joe E Galea
I hope John Dalli won't end up saying yes to everything just to please the EU and some magnates.

Perhaps he should say no to everything to please the MLP then.....grow up

Peter Axisa

Mar 4th 2010, 11:50

Part 2.
He went on, "because potatoes reproduce through propagation rather than through pollen-transfer, the risk of spreading the genetic material to the other varieties was limited." It is news to me that potatoes are reproduced by taking cuttings from parent stock since that is what "propagation" means in the growing world! Unless another "plus point" from G.M. production has stopped nature’s traditional method of the parent potato reproducing it's offspring through the rooting system! Mr. Dalli or whoever advised him also does not seem to be aware that the potato does flower and hence the risk of transferring pollen from one plant to another is still there. There again, unless GM has even done away with natures instinct to enable pollination as a result of flowering.

"Commissioner Dalli has now steam-rolled a decision through without even holding a debate with all the commissioners." What's the big rush that does not even merit the normal process of democracy Commissioner Dalli?

Mr. Dalli said, “Any delay in taking a decision now would be unjustified”. Unjustified against whom, may I ask?

Finally, is this decision, in any way, going to affect the excellent stand Malta has (so far) taken on GMOs?

Peter Axisa

Mar 4th 2010, 11:47

Part 1 Commissioner Dalli "Blew it"

Where does a person who has just started to warm the MEP seat get the audacity to arbitrarily make the rash decision to give the green light to allow the growing of the G.M. Amflora potato in the EU? What made Commissioner Dalli decide the much debated issue that has gone on for years without anyone, in the past, taking on such a responsibility? Who has advised him into taking this decision and on what grounds can he justify the risk? His justifications as quoted in the Times certainly do not hold water.

"Mr. Dalli said the variety would be cultivated only by designated growers under contract to the starch industry". How is he to guarantee that a couple of sacks will not "fall off the end of a lorry"?

Michael Catania

Mar 4th 2010, 11:38

I ask commissioner Dalli. WILL HE FEED THESE GM potatoes to his grandchildren on regular basis. I will not insist that he eats them himself as his use by date has long gone.

A. Chetcuti

Mar 4th 2010, 09:09

As a health conscious person, there is barely a 5% of all the products sold in supermarkets that I considered as fit to eat. Nearly everything contains Monosodium Glutamate, modified maize starch, aspartame or high fructose corn syrup. The meat is all injected with bovine growth hormones and antibiotics. Now, theyre targeting the veg as well, thanks to political lobbying and financial interests in Monsanto and other big corporate entities. And to think that most people still think the governments have their best interest in mind! Of course one cannot forget the political ties to the big Pharma companies. From my point of view this is a viscious cycle. Feed the population crap that makes them sick and make billions, not only from the pseudo-foods but also from the medications. Who's benefiting from this? Certainly not me and you. Let's not forget that the people in power own shares in these corporations.

Charles Grixti

Mar 4th 2010, 00:44

The EU is made up of bureaucrats, who in turn are human-beings with a weakness for money and power and no matter how honest their intentions initally, everyone has a price - ergo nothing is safe from monster corporations like Monsanto. If one politician does not cooperate, there are plenty of others waiting in the wings who are more than willing to oblige.

The first person to raise the alarm about GM foods, coincidentally GM potatoes, was a scientist in Scotland who saw an abnormal proliferation of cells in the gut of lab animals being tested and he went public with his findings. This led to a public outcry which got people mobilsed against GM Foods. Meanwhile, he this scientist got fired from his job for warning people. What actually happened is that it set-back GM foods from coming into Europe - Welcome to the Americanization of the World - where Corporations rule and dictate national and international policy.

Please see this eye-opening documentary:

"The World According to Monsanto" - here is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hErvV5YEHkE

Scary Stuff!

Mario Desira

Mar 2nd 2010, 22:42

"Modified vegetables and cereals have long been a matter of fierce debate in Europe and the commission stressed that the Amflora would only be for "industrial use" including animal feed."

Are we dealing with idiots? And what about the humans who are going to eat the animals fed on this stuff? As a vegan, I don.t eat animals, but for those who do, this may be a veritable timebomb.

Mario Desira

Mar 2nd 2010, 22:39

During the interviewing of to be commissioners, Dalli was described as rather weak in knowledge concerning enviornmental matters. This has proved to be so. Money has again won over reason and health. Although consumers have the power to boycott frankenstein foods, the risk and spectre of cross contamination looms over our daily life.

lgalea

Mar 2nd 2010, 22:16

Fabien Sant Fournier The eu is all about corporations. There are thousands of lobbyists lobbying in favour of corporations and MNC's in Brussels to swing the eu decisions in their favour.

Martin Galea De Giovanni

Mar 2nd 2010, 22:07

Definitely starting off on the wrong foot.... shame on you Mr. Dalli !

Jean Paul Galea

Mar 2nd 2010, 19:30

Prosit a very good start (ironic) This show how decisions are taken in malta...everything with a pinch of salt. What took eu 13 year, took our guy less then couple of months. I wouldn't put it past that there is money involved. Keep doing a GOOD JOB. Lets turn eu a dilapidated place like malta just to feel at home.

Colin Camilleri

Mar 2nd 2010, 17:16

gone are the smiles from his face. The EU is not Malta! So lets hope Mr. Dalli can recover from his first hurdle and proves he has got what it takes for the job.

B.Glanville

Mar 2nd 2010, 16:44

Bravo... Let the EU have a small taste of the kind of decision making that we Maltese have to put up with :P.

Fabien Sant Fournier

Mar 2nd 2010, 16:38

Monsanto are the corporate representation of pure evil!! Are food products made with Monsanto's maize appropriately labeled as GM modified foods?? The consumer has a right to know!

Disgusting; I thought the E.U was there to protect the consumer, and not corporate profits!

J. Borg

Mar 2nd 2010, 16:27

This makes one wonders whether it is the rich monster Monsato rather than the European Commission / Parliament which is ruling Europe!
Shame on Dalli and indirectly Malta for opening this lethal pandora pox....

John M. Grima

Mar 2nd 2010, 16:07

Another continent isgoing to be contaminated and ruined. Another big win for Monsanto. Cancer anyone?

Joe E Galea

Mar 2nd 2010, 15:57

I hope John Dalli won't end up saying yes to everything just to please the EU and some magnates.

M.Brincat

Mar 2nd 2010, 15:55

Ghidilhom li kummiedji l-protests.

david vella

Mar 2nd 2010, 15:17

Don't want to be 1 of his white hairs..

Eric Gahn

Mar 2nd 2010, 15:14

Here we go. Old habits die hard!