GREENPEACE EXPOSES GENETIC CONTAMINATION OF COTTON IN GREECE

Athens/Brussels, 10 March 2000 -- Greenpeace today protested in front of the Greek Ministry of Agriculture to expose large-scale genetic contamination of imported cottonseed in Greece. Greenpeace demanded that Greek and EU authorities take immediate action to stop the planting of contaminated seed.

Greenpeace took samples of US cottonseed sold in Greece and sent them to Gene Scan Laboratory in Freiburg, Germany, for analysis. Two out of seven samples were found to be contaminated and a third one had a strong indication of contamination. The GE cotton is not approved for human consumption in the EU and contains an antibiotic resistance gene. 60-70 per cent of the Greek cotton harvest is used for the production of cotton oil and animal fodder.

The Greek authorities have taken no action yet to stop the spread of the contaminated seed even though Greenpeace had informed them about preliminary research results three weeks ago since farmers could start planting any day now. EU legislation requires Member States to prevent any commercial use of unapproved GE crops.

Shortly after the action, the President of the Central Co-operation of Greek Seed producers, KESPY, announced that Greek seed producers can provide 8,000 tons of nationally produced, guaranteed GMO-free cotton seeds this season. The entire demand for cotton seeds in Greece is around 11,000 tons.

Also the Greek Minister of Agriculture reacted immediately and confirmed to Greenpeace that no cotton seeds which are not certified to be free of GMOs will be sold in Greece. In addition, he will send a letter to all seed companies requiring GE-free certification by March 21.

Press release

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