Published at Balita.ph
April 18, 2012 10:59 pm


MANILA, April 18 – Members of the environment group Greenpeace on Wednesday went to the Department of Agriculture and asked the agency to stop field trials of genetically-modified organisms (GMO) in the Philippines.

Greenpeace activists wore "monster" crops and vegetable costumes depicting the harmful effects of GMO in the environment.

“The scene might look funny, but the message is completely serious.

"GMOs are monsters—they are dangerous to our health, to biodiversity, and to sustainable farming practices. These ‘monsters’ have been attacking the Philippines for the past ten years, aided and abetted by the Department of Agriculture,” said Daniel Ocampo, Sustainable Agriculture Campaigner, Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

“However, we believe it is the task of the DA to protect the country’s food supply and ensure food security. We are therefore calling on Secretary Proceso Alcala to do what is right by cancelling all GMO approvals and promoting safe and sustainable agricultural methods,” he added.

Ocampo said DA officials refused to face the protesters at the gates to answer their demands.

Ocampo noted that the DA has never denied approval for any GMO.

The Bureau of Plant Industry, its arm tasked with regulating the entry of GMOs, recently announced that it has reviewed and approved 67 GMO varieties, eight of which are set to receive authorization for propagation.
Ocampo said the DA’s track record favoring GMO approvals violates the foundations of its mandate.

Greenpeace recently released a report on an independent study showing that the alien genes inserted into GMO crops can cause the plants to cross-breed to related species and become aggressive, problematic weeds that may threaten to overpower similar varieties.

"What is the merit in approving hundreds of GMO crops? While the country has earned the notoriety of having the most GMO approvals in Asia, we have not gained any significant advances in agricultural productivity. In the process health, biodiversity and farmers’ livelihoods are being sacrificed,” Ocampo said. (PNA) LAP/JMC/rsm

Source: Greenpeace wants field trials of GMOs in PHL stopped