GREENPEACE GENETIC HAZARD PATROL EXPOSES GENETECH MAIZE SHIPMENT AT DUTCH/GERMAN BORDER

Amsterdam, 19 November, 1997

In a stepping up of its campaign against genetically engineered crops, Greenpeace has for the first time confronted barges transporting genetic maize cargo within the European Union.

At the Dutch/German border activists challenged a barge containing material from the MN Istanbul. Last week, Greenpeace prevented the Istanbul from unloading its cargo of genetically engineered maize and soya for 36 hours in Rotterdam.

Using inflatables and the Greenpeace vessel "Beluga" the barge was marked as carrying genetic cargo. The maize cargo was the focus of active Greenpeace campaigning over the past week to highlight the ecological risks and health hazards of genetically engineered crops.

"There are no international regulations or agreement on the handling and transport of such cargo," said Greenpeace campaigner Michelle Sheather. "Companies developing these risky products cannot be held liable outside of the USA."

The maize cargo in the form of corn pellets for animal feed contains Novartis' genetically engineered maize. Scientists and governments are concerned that the presence in the maize of an anti-biotic resistance gene may lead to increased resistance to antibiotics by harmful and disease-causing bacteria. Austria, Luxembourg and Norway have prohibited the import of this genetic maize into their countries because of this threat.

This particular cargo of genetech maize may also contain genetically engineered maize crops from Monsanto, AgrEvo and Northrup King which have not yet been authorised in the EU.

In spite of requests by Greenpeace, the Dutch authories refused to impound the cargo at Rotterdam, arguing that the maize pellet does not contain entire genetically engineered maize kernels. But it is known that entire kernels of maize can be found in pellets. In late 1996 France impounded a shipment of US maize gluten feed containing unauthorised genetically altered maize. The Danish ministry of the environment has stated that it would impound such shipments.

Greenpeace is demanding that the German authorities refuse the genetech maize and impound the maize cargo until they have verified that no unauthorised genetically alterted maize is contained in the cargo.

"The public have the right to know what the contents of their food is." added Sheather. "The grain companies such as Archer Daniel Midlands (ADM) are deliberately mixing normal and genetically engineered cargoes and refusing the consumer the right to choose between the two. The European Commission has not enforced a segregation or clear labelling process. The later was due to be implemented on November 1st. This is further compounded by the as yet unclear process of authorisation of these crops within the European Union and elsewhere."

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Michelle Sheather on ++31 6 5350 4775,

Isabelle Meister on ++31 20 524 9512

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