|
AN
environmental group on Monday attempted to block Bayer’s
application for the approval of the genetically-modified
(GMO) rice LL62 for “direct use in food, feed, and
processing” in the country at the Bureau of Plant
Industry (BPI) in Malate.
Questioning the expected approval of the GMO rice strain
by the bureau’s Scientific and Technical Review Panel,
the environmental group is set to submit a comprehensive
dossier opposing GMOs, particularly the
genetically-engineered (GE) Liberty Link (LL) rice, to
oppose Bayer’s move to legalize LL62 for human
consumption.
“If the
GMO Bayer LL62 is approved, its impact on our most
important food crop would be disastrous. GMO rice is
risky. It poses even greater risks to the Philippines, a
rice-eating country. It will threaten our
rice biodiversity and compromise the environment and
human health. Moreover, Bayer’s GMO rice has already
caused massive financial damage to the global rice
industry. It will be a big mistake to allow GMO rice to
enter our food supply,” said Greenpeace Southeast Asia
GE campaigner Daniel Ocampo.
Bayer’s
herbicide-resistant LL rice strain figured in a rice
scandal of global proportions last year. In July 2006,
Bayer LL601, an experimental GMO that was not approved
for commercial distribution or human consumption in any
place in the world, was found to have contaminated the
world’s food chain. The news elicited strong reactions
from rice farmers and processors, as well as
governments. Bayer faced a class-action lawsuit filed by
hundreds of US farmers, and Japan, EU, and Russia
responded with import restrictions. The incident also
prompted rice producers and exporters in the US, EU and
Asia to commit to GMO-free production and trade.
In the
Philippines, the Department of Agriculture (DA)
prohibited future GMO rice imports, and assigned a team
in the US to test possible contamination in shipments to
the
Philippines.
After
the global contamination, Bayer belatedly applied for
the approval of LL601 from the US Department of
Agriculture, presumably to limit its liability for the
incident. Although now approved in the US, Bayer shows
no signs of intending to commercialize the LL601.
The
said GMO rice, however, remains unapproved in the rest
of the world, including in the
Philippines
where Greenpeace revealed it continues to be openly sold
in local supermarkets. Bayer LL62, the GMO rice pending
approval at the BPI, is a variety similar to LL601.
Greenpeace asserts that the approval of Bayer LL62 will
open the floodgates to further GMO rice contamination in
the Philippines. LL62 has been granted approval for
cultivation, and use in food and feed in only one
country, the US. GMO rice, however, is currently facing
global consumer rejection.
Once
LL62 is approved in the country, the Philippines, a net
importer of its most important food staple, could become
the dumping ground of GMO rice rejected by the rest of
the world.
Further, the entry of GMO rice will make widespread GMO
contamination within the country probable. GMO rice
could outcross wild and native varieties, which could
eventually lead to their extinction.
LL62
also poses health risks. LL62 is genetically-modified to
resist the powerful herbicide glufosinate, which is
meant to be used in conjunction with the GMO crop. With
LL62, usage levels for this herbicide will increase,
also increasing the likelihood of glufosinate residues
on the rice itself. Glufosinate has been observed to
cause adverse health effects in animals, causing nervous
system and birth defects. Increased use of the herbicide
could likewise increase nitrate leaching, and can poison
beneficial soil micro-organisms.
“Since
last year, Greenpeace has repeatedly alerted the DA
about the presence in the market of GMO-tainted LL601
rice banned for human consumption. Up to now, the DA has
yet to act on that issue.
But
what is more shocking is that while the rest of the
world is rejecting GMO rice, the DA is unashamedly
entertaining its approval—a move that will threaten our
environment, our health and our economy,” said Ocampo.
“Greenpeace is urging not just the DA—but all
Filipinos—to reject GMO rice outright. Rice is life. GMO
rice, a dangerous and unwanted technology, must never
become a reality,” he added. (Bloomberg) |
