Subject: Greenpeace protests US Maize
exports in Mexico
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1999 7:39 PM
Greenpeace protests
US Maize exports in Mexico
Veracruz, Mexico, December 1, 1999 --- Greenpeace today
demanded an immediate halt to US exports of genetically
engineered maize to Mexico. Greenpeace activists hung a banner
with the text "Stop Genetic
Invasion!" from the San Juan de Ulua fortress at Veracruz
harbour on Mexico's East coast.
"The US GE imports are threatening biodiversity, traditional
agriculture and human health in Mexico," said Liza Covantes
of Greenpeace. "They must be stopped immediately."
Mexico is one of the countries with the highest biodiversity on
the planet. It is also the centre of origin of maize, which
was first cultivated in the country about 7000 years ago.
Thousands of varieties still exist, cultivated by indigenous
groups, family farmers and breeding centres. All maize grown
commercially around the world originates from Mexican varieties.
The contamination of these traditional varieties with GMOs
threatens the Mexican environment as well as the future of plant
breeding of maize internationally.
"Producers of the engineered maize such as Novartis and
Monsanto and the exporters are gambling with the future of one of
the major food crops of the world," said Covantes.
Growing of genetically engineered maize is prohibited in Mexico
because of concerns over crosspollination with related maize
varieties. Still more than 5 million tons of US maize containing
around 25 - 35 per cent GE maize are exported from the US to
Mexico. "There is no way to prevent this maize to be
grown," said Liza Covantes. "Only a fool would believe
that it will not be used as seed as well."
The Mexican government still has not enacted any effective
legislation governing the import of GMOs for food and feed
purposes. "The dumping of subsidised US GE maize to Mexico
is not only creating environmental damage and but also causing
economic hardship among small farmers in the country," said
Covantes.
Greenpeace is also alarmed about US efforts to bring the GMOs to
the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agenda in Seattle. "The
US causing genetic pollution in a centre of origin by exporting
GE maize to Mexico is a good example why we need strong
environmental rules on GMOs," said Benedikt Haerlin of
Greenpeace International. "The only rules in place at this
moment are trade rules, which oblige Mexico to import US maize.
GMOs are not a trade issue, they are an environmental problem and
an untested new product put in the human food chain at the risk
of consumers."
end
Kind regards,
For information please contact:
Greenpeace International Press Office
T: ++ 31 20 5249515
F: ++ 31 20 5236212
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