Austrian Referendum Sends Strong Message on Genetic Engineering

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

AUSTRIAN REFERENDUM SENDS STRONG MESSAGE ON GENETICAL ENGINEERING

Greenpeace: The world must listen - Stop Genetic Engineering in
food!

Vienna, April 14, 1997 -- The European Commission should listen to
the 1.226,551 Austrian citizens who have signed the referendum
calling on their government to stop the release of genetically
engineered organisms into food and the environment, Greenpe

The referendum on genetical engineering comes in second in the list
of referenda in Austria.  It is the most sucessful vote on
enviromental issues.


"With this sensational result, the Austrian people have given a
very strong signal to the other EU countries and the whole world:
A vast part of our population does not want to eat genetically
altered food. Now the politicians have to act accordingly,"

"It's not only Austrians who don't want genetic engineering in
their food or environment. Greenpeace is getting a similar message
from consumers and Governments right around Europe and beyond."

France and Italy have banned the growing of genetically engineered
maize; Austria and Luxembourg have also banned its import. The EU
Parliament last week strongly criticised the EU Commission for its
outrageous behaviour in authorising genetically engi European
Commission President Jacques Santers' reaction to the Parliamentary
resolution last week was not one of concern, but rather the
opposite: he is trying to try to find ways to stifle such strong
criticism from the Parliament in future. This week the Commission
has been summoned yet again to a meeting at the United States
Department of Agriculture which has reacted to the European
opposition to genetic engineering by saying 'this shouldn't be
allowed to happen.'

"For whom is M. Santer working - the United States Department of
Agriculture or Europe? Are we to have no democracy or rights in
Europe?", asked Schelander.

Following the successful referendum, Greenpeace and the other
initiators demanded a package of immediate measures from the
Austrian government: - an immediate moratorium for all releases of
GMOs; 
- a ban on the production of genetically manipulated organisms; -
the Austrian import ban on GE maize has to be defended, if
necessary, up to the    European Court;
- Austria should ban the import of GE soya;
- an Austrian veto against the EU patents directive;
- strict liability-regulations for GE production and transport; -
strict and comprehensive labelling of all GE food in Austria;  -
Austria should be taking forward to the EU a proposal for a
moratorium on    releases of all GMOs in Europe. 

In 1978, the Austrian population voted against the nuclear plant
Zwentendorf and thus, as the first country in the world, said no to
nuclear power. Now Austria once again has become a worldwide
pioneer, by pushing back genetically manipulated food and 

for further information:
Matthias Schickhofer, Greenpeace Austria
Tel: ++43-1-7130061-44 or ++43-664-3386503 (mobile phone)
Florian Faber, Greenpeace Austria
Tel: ++43-1-7130061-26 or ++43-663-087570 (mobile phone)
Cindy Baxter, Greenpeace International, Tel: ++31-20-5236279

notes to the editors:

1) The referendum against genetical engineering was organised and
supported by a broad coalition of environmental and animal
protection organisations, Austrian farmers and parts of the
catholic church of Austria. It was up for signing between April 7 -
 * NO GENETICALLY MANIPULATED FOOD!
    i. e. a ban to the production, import and sale of genetically
manipulated food      and agricultural products in Austria;
 * NO GMO RELEASES IN AUSTRIA!
    i. e. a ban for the release of genetically manipulated plants,
animals and      microorganisms;
 * NO PATENTING OF LIFE!
    i. e. a ban to the patenting of living beings.

2) According to Austrian law, every referendum that receives more
than 100.000 signatures has to be dealt with by the parliament
within one year. The most successful referenda in the past were
against the construction of the Vienna Conference Centre (1

3) There are 5,76 million voters in Austria