Malta agrees to changes on GMO crops decision-making
Malta is among a small group of member states, which agreed to a European Commission proposal giving individual countries the power to decide whether to cultivate genetically modified crops on their territory.
Following a meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Brussels earlier this week, it became evident Health Commissioner John Dalli’s proposal was facing stiff resistance from the majority of member states, including those with the biggest political clout.
Intervening during the debate, Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino welcomed the proposal to shift the onus of the decision to cultivate GM crops from a community- to a national-based regime.
Asked whether this meant a shift in Malta’s position on GMOs, a government spokesman said this was not the case because Malta was only agreeing with the decision-making process that should be adopted. “We are not saying we agree with GMOs but only with the method being suggested by the Commission on how decisions should be taken.”
So far, Malta always opposed the cultivation of GM crops in Europe. However, according to the spokesman, “Malta now thinks every decision in this sector should be science-based.”
The ministers’ meeting was the first to discuss the issue following the publication of the proposal by Mr Dalli last July. The EU heavyweights, including Germany, France, the UK and Spain, shot down the proposal and said in very clear terms they would not be supporting it in its present form.
Commission sources said that following the negative reaction from the majority of member states it was likely Mr Dalli’s proposal would not see the light of day. “It will take several months if we are going to find a compromise on this text,” Sabine Laurelle, the Belgian Agriculture Minister presiding over the talks, admitted in a press conference following the closed-doors meeting.
Asked whether he would consider withdrawing his proposal, Mr Dalli said he would wait to hear what environment ministers had to say in two weeks’ time, hoping for a better reception of his proposal.
Defending his proposal, Mr Dalli said it “does not undermine the internal market and it is not against WTO rules. It is the present situation which creates problems with the WTO”.
According to Commission sources, if the environment ministers’ discussion on the subject has the same conclusion as that of the Agriculture Council there would be no other alternative for Mr Dalli but to withdraw his proposal.
The cultivation of GMOs is proving to be one of the most contentious dossiers in Mr Dalli’s portfolio. His proposal followed on harsh criticism he received after approving the cultivation of a new GM potato for industrial purposes just three weeks after his appointment. He was immediately accused by the pro-environmental lobby of pushing ahead the interests of big business. Mr Dalli denied the charge.
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Dr Mario Zammit
Oct 4th 2010, 12:05
I would ask, what does ' science-based' mean? What science is being referred to here? Are these studies in line with unbiased standards, how are we to measure the long term consequencies and the impact on other sectors such as the environment and the natural habitat? Such a sweeping statement doesn't hold weight in today's world of science! Give the maltese a clear picture which would include the long term impacts on health of the nation and its habitat and the advantages of changing the agricultural practices if any. If the advantages are noteworthy then by all means, if not , if some disadvantages are there these should be addressed and not put into a balance. Our life, the life of this planet and its life forms are at stake here.
John Portelli
Oct 4th 2010, 16:59
There are no tests available as the producers of GM seed strictly PROHIBIT the contracted farmers or anyone else from carrying out any tests. Anyone doing so is risking huge financial penalties. Farmers need also remember that: No seeds can be kept for future use. You can only use authorised chemicals on the crop. If your seeds are cross contaminated by any considerable GM code, you have to surrented those seeds to the GM company owning that genetic code. These GM companies are registering the patent of all genetic code they can get their hands on as future guarantees. You can read more from : http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/monsanto-pig-patent-111/
John Portelli
Oct 4th 2010, 11:10
"So far, Malta always opposed the cultivation of GM crops in Europe. "...
This is not correct. As a matter of fact, the Maltese officials VOTED IN FAVOUR of GM crop last year. ( 19th October 2009 - vote on MIR604 ) Whilst the minister George Pullicino voted against on the 20th November 2009.
Join us on Facebook to show and support us in the fight against GMOs.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Malta-Organic-Agriculture-Movement/130529196958993?ref=sgm
John Portelli
Malta Organic Agriculture Movement (MOAM) and IFOAM EU board member
lgalea
Oct 2nd 2010, 22:26
HOw can our government go so low and how can Commissioner Dalli also go so low to be so obsequiois to Monsanto and the other Frankenstein GMO's producers? They want to destroy all natural seeds so that we will have to buy their Frankenstein seeds at whatever price they ask. There is also going to be another problem. Once this Frankenstein food is being grown in other countries then they may challenge any prohibition of a member country if it bans the importation of these Frankenstein food because they would consider it as a restriction of the free movement of goods. And would anyone think that the EU Court would not decide in their favour? If you don't want to eat Monsanto's Frankenstein food go sign the petition against it and circulate to all your friends. https://secure.avaaz.org/en/eu_gmo/97.php?cl_tta_sign=1275009b8d5a08dd00c63379213a3bc1 .
I Abela
Oct 2nd 2010, 20:22
To all those who don't know yet, this is the beginning of a well planned mission by some people to dominate the world through control of FOOD. People can live without anything except FOOD. Big companies like BASF and Monsanto in particular have been for the past 40 years engineering crop seeds that can only be used once. Meaning that if we use their seeds, then we can't pick seeds from the crops we harvest because they won't grow. So everytime we need to plant crops we have to get new seeds from Monsanto. The only barrier between them and an eventual absolute control over the food chain was that countries were reluctant to use their GMO's. Now that this hurdle is being quietly removed, it is a matter of time before every farmer in the world would have to buy seeds from Monsanto. Our children's children will live in a communist world. Dominated by a few Trillionaires who would hold the entire world at ransom through food shortages.
Robert Callus
Oct 2nd 2010, 21:00
Well said. This is a quote from a Monsanto consultant:
“The hope of the industry is that over time, the market is so flooded that there’s nothing you can do about it. You just sort of surrender.”
Josef Laspina
Oct 2nd 2010, 16:43
Why do we have to suck up to companies like Monsanto who would rather destroy our normal crops and have us buy and buy and buy their 'frankenstein' products ?
Marcelle Cini
Oct 2nd 2010, 15:13
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/eu_gmo/97.php?cl_tta_sign=1275009b8d5a08dd00c63379213a3bc1 .
For those who are interested to sign this petion .Over 1 million have signed it and are now aiming to get 1,500,000 .Please read .
Peppi Gauci
Oct 2nd 2010, 13:36
It has been very clear from day one that GMO's and the colossal issues circling them are not welcomed by the majority of people, however, unfortunately, Mr Dalli and a few others don't seem to be getting the message or are ignoring it for reasons yet to be revealed.
Science based conclusions on GMO tests outside labarotories are already there, and further negative implications are continuously being reported.
Malta should be more concerned about issues such as the state of our soil and water. Issues which our predecessors have tackled in efficient ways to safeguard such valuable resources in the view of food security to mention one. Scientific efforts should be prioritized towards the aid of such imminent needs of proven earth technology benefiting the wide spectrum of citizens across the nations rather than venturing away into corporate interests.
The message is loud and clear. A number of local organizations have also voiced their concerns in a number of collective letters written to Mr Dalli. This is the perfect example whereby the precautionary principle must stand to safeguard the commons.
Frank Cilia
Oct 2nd 2010, 12:59
Disaster. If we allow GMO in Malta your farmer are not competitive to anything anymore. Imports are mostly already cheaper than local products. The only way our farmer can compete with that is with quality and NOT with GMO. Besides that we can forget exporting goods like potatoes!!!
Martin Galea De Giovanni
Oct 2nd 2010, 12:22
These proposals are deeply flawed, legally and politically. Member states are being offered no additional powers to ban GM crops on health, environment and contamination impacts, despite these being the most serious and legally reliable grounds. Instead, only additional ethical grounds are offered, which are legally intangible, subjective and easily overturned in court.
In exchange for this empty offer to decide about the cultivation of GM crops on their territories the Commission is asking member states to relax opposition to future GMO applications for cultivation fast tracking GMO approvals.
More info here: http://www.foemalta.org/home/index.php/prs-archive/212-european-commission-proposals-to-ban-gm-crops-an-empty-and-dangerous-deal
Ramon Casha
Oct 2nd 2010, 11:39
We are more concerned about our health than about the world trade organisation.
Since “Malta now thinks every decision in this sector should be science-based”, here are some science facts to chew on:
http://news.discovery.com/earth/gm-plant-canola-wild.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129010499
In a N.Dakota study, 86% of wild canola plants contained the genetic modifications. Not only that but some had genetic modifications from different GM strains.
This means that, although plants like the Amflora potato are only suitable for industrial starch production, in all probability those genetic modifications will eventually end up in food crops and on our dinner plates.
Robert Callus
Oct 2nd 2010, 10:22
GMOs are being forced on nations for political reasons. Anyone giving them the green light is either absurdly gullible or corrupt:
http://robertcallus.wordpress.com/2010/05/15/politics-of-gmos/
The summary of this book is enough to get a glimpse of these extremely dangerous crops
http://www.wanttoknow.info/deception10pg