Dear …
with regard to the upcoming vote in Brussels on the potential introduction of genetically modified pesticide producing maize and potatoes including antibiotic resistance I would urge you to take a stand on behalf of the people of Ireland, the environment, and the creation of a sustainable nationwide and global food system, to vote no on this issue.
There are numerous controversial issues involved in the GMO debate, many of which have not been sufficiently tested, discussed or been subject to sufficient controls, so firstly with regard to the Precautionary Principle it would not only be unwise, but remiss in your obligation as a representative of Ireland in Europe, and contrary to the EU legislation to protect human health and the environment, to allow this to go through uncontested.
Secondly with regard to some of the more specific issues there are a few points you should note:
- The two maize varieties that will be debated on 7 May produce their own pesticide. According to current practices these crops were only tested for 90 days for health effects whereas pesticides are tested for 2 years.
- The GM potato contains a gene that makes cells resistant to antibiotics. As I’m sure you are aware there are already serious problems regarding increasing antibiotic resistance leading to increasing incidences of ’superbugs’ and decreasing treatment options for conditions requiring the administration of antibiotics.
- The actual effects of eating genetically modified foods have also not been sufficiently studied to determine their safety, and in some cases variable effects on digestion have been recorded. e.g. see “Effect of diets containing genetically modified potatoes expressing Galanthus nivalis lectin on rat small intestine”
Ewen & Pusztai, 1999, Lancet . Vol. 354.
- The acceptance, continuation and promotion of methods of agriculture that are highly dependent on fossil fuels, chemical use, and multinational corporations are eroding not only our capacity for food production, but adding to issues of food security, the rights of growers and citizens, the negative exploitation of our common resources including energy, biodiversity, and to issues of climate change.
- Industry promotes GM crops as potentially feeding the world, however this has not materialised whilst ecologically sound farming models and methods show real potential. Recently, even the UN admitted that genetically engineered crops are not a solution for poverty, hunger or climate change.
- The negative experiences of farmers in Canada, America and Argentina, where GM crops were first commercialised, should be taken into serious consideration in any discussion on the use of GM crops. See Mauro IJ and McLachlan SM. “Farmer knowledge and risk analysis: postrelease evalulation of herbicide-tolerant canola in Western Canada. Risk Analysis 2008, 28″, and also the many cases of contamination of farmers fields by GM crops, and subsequent legal battles e.g. Percy Schmeiser, a Canadian farmer who recently the case against Monsanto for such contamination. http://www.percyschmeiser.com/
- And as I’m sure you are aware there are serious global concerns about the current shortages of rice in particular, (and the consequences of this, particularly for the less economically well off countries and peoples) combined with the very low levels of grain stores, climate change, food and energy security etc. The notion that widespread use of GM crops will relieve or solve these problems is overly simplistic and unrealistic at best. At worst …
- The body responsible for advising the Commission on GMOs, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) is not doing its job properly. First of all it has recognized that it lacks the methods for carrying out long term assessment of the health and environmental impacts of GMOs. Secondly, it is relying on incomplete data that is submitted by the agro-chemical industry.
These points are backed up by concerns and research from numerous Irish, European and global organisations, some of which I have listed below
- Irish Doctors Environmental Association - who object to the release and use of genetically modified organisms on the grounds of serious health concerns, increased chemical use, undermining of food security, and detrimental effects on biodiversity.
http://www.ideaireland.org/gmfood.htm
- GM Free Ireland - http://www.gmfreeireland.org/
Here I also refer you specifically to the supposed government policy, which would be totally undermined by a yes vote, i.e.
“to negotiate for the whole island of Ireland to become a GMO-free zone”, i.e. off-limits to the open release of genetically modified (GM) seeds, crops, trees, insects, crustaceans, fish and livestock. The policy is supported by Michelle Gildernew MP of Sinn Féin who is in charge of Agriculture in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Declaring the whole island of Ireland a GMO-free zone is good for business, health and the environment. It will protect the health of our livestock and human population, save our landscape from being invaded by GM superweeds, protect farmers from GM patent infringement lawsuits and loss of market share, and provide livestock and food exporters, restaurants, hotels and tourist operators with a competitive advantage by positioning Irish food with the most credible safe GM-free brand in Europe.”
- FEASTA - the foundation for the economics of sustainability, http://www.feasta.org/.
I refer you specifically to the paper by David Fleming in the second FEASTA review, available at http://www.feasta.org/documents/review2/fleming2.htm, which highlights numerous issues relating to GMOs.
- The Institute of Science in Society,
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/index.php, who have and are carrying out research on the effects of GMOs on farmers, biodiversity, health, food security etc.
- Greenpeace International
- http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/genetic-engineering/email-the-commission-before-ma?utm_source=gpi-cyberactivist-list&utm_medium=email&utm_content=4484889&utm_campaign=ge
There are many many more.
Also the majority of European citizens oppose the use of GMOs and this opposition has been consistent for the past 10 years.
Again I urge you to take these issues into consideration, and vote No in the upcoming case.
Sincerely,
…
