GREENPEACE CALLS FOR HALT TO GMOS AS INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS OPEN IN VIENNA

15 September 1999

Vienna -- Greenpeace today demanded the international delegates gathered in Vienna to set strong environmental controls for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The organisation demonstrated in front of the United Nations building in Vienna where the Biosafety Protocol negotiations are being held. Activists dressed as genetically engineered maize and tomato waltzed with Bill Clinton and Tony Blair and held up banners demanding, "Stop GMOs – Biosafety Now!", "Stop playing dirty games".

"Governments have so far dodged their responsibility to protect the environment from genetic pollution," said Greenpeace political advisor Louise Gale. "Even though citizens in a growing number of countries across the world are rejecting genetically engineered food, governments have done precious little to draft global rules to address the public’s concerns. International biosafety rules are needed now more than ever to give countries the right to say no to GMOs."

The US along with other grain exporting countries like Canada, Australia and Argentina have been the strongest opponents of all environmental clauses in the Biosafety Protocol. The previous round of protocol negotiations collapsed in Colombia earlier this year mainly due to the opposition of the group.

Greenpeace is calling for precaution to be the basis of all decisions on GMOs since the long term effects of this new technology are mostly unknown and what is known causes concern. Any government should have a right to stop any import of GMOs if it suspects there may be environmental or health risks.

The Biosafety Protocol is the first attempt by the international community to set binding rules for the use, transport and handling of GMOs. The US is not a party to the process since it has not ratified the Biodiversity Convention.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Mika Railo, Press Officer, Greenpeace International, +31 6 212 969 08
- Gertraud Findl, Press Officer, Greenpeace Austria, +43 (0)664 333 73 89

Images of the Greenpeace demonstration are available from the Greenpeace International Photo Desk, + 31 20 5249 580

Greenpeace Biosafety Press Briefings are available at the Greenpeace International web site: www.greenpeace.org/~geneng