Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
John Dalli spoofed in anti-GMO campaign
An anti-GMO billboard in Brussels and the "cookbook" with John Dalli on the right, which will be released next week.
The face of European Commissioner John Dalli has been splashed on billboards across Brussels' main streets with the slogan GMOs Coming Soon To A Table Near You, as part of a campaign by Greenpeace.
Mr Dalli has suddenly become one of the most recognised EU officials in Brussels and is sharing a billboard with Commission President José Manuel Barroso as spoof chefs cooking up genetically engineered "recipes for disaster".
The anti-GMO campaign puts a spotlight on the controversial decision Mr Dalli took soon after taking office, to authorise the introduction of a genetically modified potato in the European market.
The campaign is expected to intensify in the coming weeks with the release of a book. A petition against GMOs launched by Greenpeace has already gathered 500,000 signatures in just a month.
The billboards have been put up in the main areas of Brussels, including main roads close to the Commission headquarters in Schuman Square and underground metro stations.
Greenpeace said the Amflora decision taken by Mr Dalli went against the will of EU member states, public opinion and the advice of international medical experts, such as the World Health Organisation and the European Medicines Agency (EMEA).
"Greenpeace is disappointed that Mr Dalli's first decision on the matter disregarded the health advice of the WHO and EMEA," the worldwide environment lobby said.
Greenpeace is calling for a moratorium on the authorisation of GM crops until the current system is significantly strengthened.
The billboards are just a taste of things to come as Greenpeace turns the spotlight on the Commission and its pro-GMO agenda. According to the organisation's EU office, things will hot up next week when the GMO cookbook hits the streets.
Mr Dalli's decision lifted a 13-year ban on the Amflora GM potato and was harshly criticised by some member states, which said the decision was more in the interests of big businesses than of the environment.
Malta had also voted against the authorisation of this potato on the market.
The potato has been approved for starch production for the paper industry. It will be cultivated only by designated growers and grown in a controlled environment to limit the possibility of genetic material being transferred to other potato varieties. Mr Dalli has argued that the risk of spread is limited.
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A. E. ABELA
Apr 23rd 2010, 08:06
'Malta had also voted against the authorisation of this potato on the market.'
At least we did get this one thing right, I hope no U turns on this decision will happen once this hot potato starts sharing itself under the table as a cream pie.
Joseph V. Grech
Apr 23rd 2010, 03:58
Commissioner John Dalli - whom I personally much respected prior to this unexpected, very serious and irresponsible BLUNDER of his needs to explain what exactly made hime decide to allow in these genetically modified crops.
I had thought Mr. Dalli would put Citizen Well Being before all other considerations!
Come on, do explain please!
Diana Fleming
Apr 22nd 2010, 18:23
Finally, John Dalli is being seen for the politician he really is.
Heike Moldenhauer (Friends of the Earth) confirmed, "With this decision Commissioner Dalli has not only snubbed European citizens, the vast majority of who rejected GMO's, he has snubbed member states as well. The new Commission promised to let national governments decide on whether to grow GM crops on their territory but at first possible opportunity they have broken this promise. Dalli has introduced himself as a COMMISSIONER WHO CAN’T BE TRUSTED." http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2010/Mar02_EC_gives_green_light_to_GM_potatoes.html
Ironically there are still people and newspapers in Malta that cannot accept the fact that Dalli made many serious mistakes during his political career.
As EU Commissioner he is now playing a different ball game. EU newspapers and bodies like Greenpeace and F.O.E. have the courage, backing and expertise to make constructive criticism.
Giving the green light to this hot potato proves his amateurish approach to such a controversial subject. Dalli has no experience in many fields that his portfolio covers.
“Our country, indeed, is still full of those vulgar politicians, feeble and shallow men, who having spent their little force in resisting the progress of reform, find themselves at length compelled to yield” Edmund Burke
MBorg
Apr 22nd 2010, 16:33
Further to what I wrote before, I want to make it clear that in no way did I doubt the good intentions of Mr Dalli., a man of high integrity. He must have been ill-advised.
MBorg
Apr 22nd 2010, 13:04
I always admired John Dalli , he is a man who gets things done. But this move of his to OK the lifting of the ban of Anflora GM potato must be his biggest gaffe to date.
Why did he go against the advice of the medical experts ? Was it the manager in him that made him favour big businesses ? He might be a very good manager and account, but we all know he is no medical expert.
How can he say that " the spread of of genetic material being transferred to other potato veriaties is limited ?" Greed is in every one and if the source is there temptation will be great, to the detriment of our health. I hope that Greenpeace will be successful in reversing this stupid decision.