Greenpeace Calls on Portuguese Gov't to Ban GE Corn

["Greenbase" <greenbas@gb.greenpeace.org>]

GREENPEACE CALLS ON PORTUGUESE GOVERNMENT TO BAN GE CORN AS
SHIPMENT IS HELD IN LISBON HARBOUR


Lisbon , February 19 1997 -- Greenpeace is preventing a shipload
of genetically engineered corn from docking at Lisbon harbour,
its first direct action against genetically manipulated
foodstuffs in Portugal since the organisation launched its
international campaign against GE products.

Around 30 activists from  Europe (Portugal, Spain, France,
Switzerland, Germany, Netherland, Sweden and Belgium) and North
America are using four inflatable boats to stop the ship, the
Pacificator from Louisiana, from berthing at Lisbon docks. The
action began around 12.30 pm local time.

"There is no reason why Portugal -- one of Europe's biggest
importers of corn --  should be exposed to genetically
engineered corn while

other Europeans are being protected by their governments," said
Greenpeace campaigner Riki Aguilar.

"By implementing Article 16 of the Directive which governs the
release of genetically engineered foodstuffs, Austria and
Luxembourg have banned the GE maize and forced the European
Commission to reconsider its controversial decision to approve
it. The Portuguese government should do the same."

GE corn has been developed by the Swiss multinational Ciba Geigy
to be resistant to a pesticide and to a corn pest. Greenpeace
believes there are unacceptable environmental and health risks
from the release of genetically engineered crops, and has
carried out actions against GE corn and soya throughout Europe
and the United States.

Only last week, France anounced it would not allow the corn to
be grown there. French Prime Minister Alain Juppe said they
could not predict the long-term effects of sowing the
genetically engineered seed.

Luxembourg's Environment Minister has said that the findings of
the scientific committees consulted by the Commission are not
sufficiently conclusive to rule out all harmful effectts on
human health and the environment. 



      ends


Footage and pictures from today's action are available. For
further information contact James Gillies, Press  Officer,
Greenpeace International, Amsterdam, tel. 00 31 20 524 9548 Riki
Aguilar, Campaigner,  Greenpeace International, Lisbon tel
mobile 00 31 6 5342 9147