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Hammersmith
and Fulham Friends of the Earth |
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| Local Campaigns Waste, Real Food, Transport, Climate, Living World Resources Real Food Links GM
-the facts (aka reasons to support the GM free campaign)
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There
is a real possibility that commercial planting of GM crops could be
approved this year. Here are some of the facts. North
America GM
Agriculture has already caused widespread contamination of non-GM crops,
created GM ‘superweeds’, and lead to increased pesticide use and
loss of exports. ( see www.soilassociation.org
for more details) Threat
to organic sector GM
ingredients are banned from organic food, so GM contamination from
neighbouring farms could cause organic farmers to lose their organic
status, leading to financial ruin and loss of choice for consumers. Health
Concerns The
British Medical Association are concerned about antibiotic markers in GM
foods, and possible allergenic reactions US
Pressure The
US government and biotechnology companies are pressing hard for the
World Trade Organisation to ban GM labelling, and for the EU to allow GM
commercialisation No
Solution to famine Oxfam
has warned that GM crops could further intensify poverty in the
developing world. Co-existence
impossible It is now clear that in
North America there has been widespread contamination by GM crops –
through wind flow, cross-pollination, seed mixing and lax regulations.
In one province of Canada, organic oilseed rape farming has been wiped
out by GM contamination. Consumers stand to lose their right to choose organic and GM free food. |
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GM
the
facts