Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
First EU citizens’ initiative to call on John Dalli to act
Genetically modified organisms or GEO transgenic plants are plants whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
Greenpeace has collected the necessary million signatures from EU citizens to launch the first citizens’ initiative challenging the new policy on genetically modified food, which is driven by Maltese Commissioner John Dalli.
A Greenpeace spokesman in Brussels told The Times the initiative, the first of its kind, would soon be presented to the Commission. It calls on Mr Dalli to impose a moratorium on the cultivation of more genetically modified crops in the EU until the safety aspect of the process is strengthened.
“Mr Dalli’s latest proposals to allow member states to decide for themselves whether to allow the cultivation of GM crops in their territory will not move ahead in its present form as it does not make sense. It is an empty promise,” the spokesman said.
“However, if the proposal is reviewed, as many member states are now requesting, we are in favour of more flexibility. But the proposal has to be radically changed and will have to ensure that GM crops are safe before any authorisation is given,” he said.
The European Citizens’ Initiative is one of the major innovations of the Treaty of Lisbon, aiming to increase participatory democracy in the EU. The initiative enables one million EU citizens to call directly on the European Commission to bring forward an initiative of interest to them in an area of EU competence.
Greenpeace said through this initiative, it is expecting the Commission to act swiftly to address the concerns of European citizens, EU governments and independent scientists, as well as introducing a moratorium on all new approvals of GM crops until the EU authorisation system is strengthened. The initiative also calls for the establishment of “an independent, ethical, scientific body” to assess the impact of GM crops.
Greenpeace EU director Jorgo Riss said that people from all corners of Europe know that GM crops are bad for food and farming.
“Europeans are fed up with Barroso’s Commission pushing through GM crops in the face of public rejection – the Commission cannot ignore them. The strong support for this citizens’ initiative shows that Europeans want to see a moratorium on GM crops until scientific and ethical problems are solved.”
Upon his appointment as Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs, Mr Dalli ruffled the feathers of many pro-environment NGOs as he approved the authorisation of the cultivation of a GM potato for industrial use – the first such authorisation in 13 years.
Last July, Commissioner Dalli also launched a proposal aimed at giving member states the power to decide on future GM cultivations instead of the current regime where the EU decides on the process on behalf of member states.
Following a meeting of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels last week, the majority of member states opposed Mr Dalli’s proposal and asked for radical modifications to be introduced.
The debate on GMOs has been raging since the technology was first applied to food intended for consumption in the 1970s. Scientists supporting the use of GM crops argue that this technology is the solution to the world’s demand for food, which is growing at the same rate as the globe’s soaring population. However, detractors stress the risk of the unknown risks of genetic modification of crops, and especially the fact that there is no research into the possibility of GM crops mutating over generations with undesired consequences.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
5 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
John M. Grima
Oct 12th 2010, 18:02
GM CROPS ARE UNECESSARY! BAD! POISONOUS! UNHEALTHY!( BUt, like cancer, very profitable.) How can we promote growing and consuming ORGANIC food, while neighbouring farmers, or worst, industrial farms, grow GM crops? Statements of feeding the world are false!. A sales pitch. The world's problem is NOT food! THERE IS ENOUGH FOOD! The problem is, not enough CLEAN food, air and water. In the West , SOY,CORN,COTTON SEED, CANOLA, SUGAR FROM SUGAR BEETS, HAWAIAN PAPAYA, SOME ZUCCHINI, AND CROOKNECK SQUASH. Also, PROCESSED FOOD IN HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYROUP. And of course AMFLORA POTATOES in Europe, are all GM. We need more than just signing a petition.WE NEED TO IDENTIFY GM FOOD AND BOYCOT IT. DO NOT BUY IT. THEN THEY WILL NOT GROW IT. PERIOD!
Joseph Ellul-Grech
Oct 12th 2010, 17:50
Those who believe that GM crops are the answer are drastically wrong. They pose a danger to all nations. Commissioner John Dalli has started on a dangerous route that could cause some very serious health issues to everyone.
In a short space of time this Commissioner claims to have studied twelve years of reports that were submitted to Brussels and authorised the cultivation of Amflora. Dalli has had no experience or exposure to this science and its dangers. He ignored the warning signs from responsible bodies and the general public who in their majority do not want GM crops.
Arrogant politicians like Commissioner Dalli should be held accountable. However, how can a person like John Dalli who was appointed, not elected, be held accountable?
Maybe by a private legal action in the European Court of Justice.
lgalea
Oct 12th 2010, 10:40
3
With determination,
Alice, Benjamin, Ricken, Luis, Graziela and the entire Avaaz team.
More information:
'Anti-GM crop petition tops million signatures', AFP:
http://www.avaaz.org/eu_gmo_afp
Last Eurobameter Survey 2008 'Attitudes of European citizens towards the environment', page 66:
http://bit.ly/aMkeVJ
The Independent, Fury as Brussels authorises GM potatoes:
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/fury-as-eu-approves-gm-potato-1915833.html
Reuters, France blasts GM crop approvals by EU agency:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6241ZQ20100305
New Report: GMOs Causing Massive Pesticide Pollution:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-kimbrell/new-report-gmos-causing-m_b_362888.html
Summary of the International Assessment on Agricultural Science and Technology for Development, including critics of GMOs use in agriculture:
http://globalpolicy.org/social-and-economic-policy/international-trade-and-development-1-57/genetically-modified-organisms.html#key
lgalea
Oct 12th 2010, 10:39
2.
their impact on climate due to the excessive need for pesticides; the destruction of biodiversity and local agriculture; and the effects of GM food on public health.
EU member states have voiced strong opposition to the EC decision to authorise BASF's potato and Monsanto's maize -- Italy and Austria are opposed, and France said it would ask for further scientific research.
There is still no consensus on the long-term effects of GM crops. And it is the GM industry, pursuing profits not public well being, that is funding the science and driving the regulatory environment. That is why European citizens are calling for more independent research, testing and precaution before crops are unleashed onto our land.
Now, the "European Citizens' Initiative" gives 1 million EU citizens the opportunity to submit policy proposals to the European Commission and offers us a unique chance to drown out lobbyists' influence.
Let's make sure we meet the quota for Malta to put a moratorium on the introduction of GM crops into Europe and set up an independent, ethical and scientific body to research and determine the strong regulation of GM crops. Sign the petition now and then forward it widely:
lgalea
Oct 12th 2010, 10:38
1 million have signed for a GM freeze, but we are just below the target for Malta. Sign the petition now -- and if you have signed already, click below to confirm your signature and send this to everyone!
Dear friends, The European Commission has recently approved growing genetically modified crops in the European Union for the first time in 12 years!
Caving to the GM lobby, the commission has ignored 60% of Europeans who feel we have to get the facts first before growing foods that could pose a threat to our health and environment.
A new initiative allows 1 million EU citizens to make official legal requests of the European Commission.We have now reached a million voices for a ban on GM foods until the research is done, but are just short of the requested country quota for Malta. Sign the petition and forward this email to friends and family:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/eu_gmo/?vl
Consumers, public health, environmental and farmers groups have long rallied against a few international GM companies having such significant influence over European agriculture. Concerns about growing GM crops include: contamination of organic crops and the environment;