GREENPEACE DEMANDS URGENT MEASURES TO COMBAT GE CONTAMINATION

22 June 2000

LUXEMBOURG -- Greenpeace today called on the EU Environment Ministers to ensure that the EU moratorium on the approvals of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) remains in place as the ministers meet today for the June Environment Council in Luxembourg. The information published yesterday in France about the contamination of 4800 hectares of maize and earlier discovery of contamination of oilseed rape by unapproved GMOs shows a need to strengthen safety precautions on GMOs.

"The contamination of oilseed rape in several European countries discovered in June shows why the European legislation on genetic engineering (GE) needs clear rules on liability," said Ceri Lewis of Greenpeace. "So far the company responsible for selling contaminated oilseed rape seed has only agreed to compensate farmers’ crop losses in the UK and France but not in Germany. And nobody seems to be willing to compensate any potential damage caused to the environment."

Greenpeace calls for liability rules to be included in the directive on releases of GMOs (90/220), which is under revision at the moment.

"European ministers cannot continue to let GMOs to contaminate our food and environment," said Lewis. "The companies producing GMOs must be fully liable for any damage their products may cause."

"The US seed exporters have vehemently refused to take any actions to guarantee GE free seed for their European customers," said Lewis. "The Environment Minister should stop the seed imports from GMO producing countries like US and Canada until these countries set up measures to stop contamination of conventional seed stock."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Ceri Lewis, Political Advisor, Greenpeace International, +32 2 280 1400
- Mika Railo, Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 20 5249 548

Please visit Greenpeace's GE campaign website for more information.