Delay signing protocol on biosafety: NGO<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Several non governmental organizations urged the
\ngovernment on Wednesday to delay the signing of the international
\nprotocol on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).<\/p>\n
Speaking at a discussion organized by Indonesian Biodeversity
\nFoundation, representatives of the NGOs said that Indonesia's
\nregulation was still too weak to accommodate the consequences of
\nthe agreement.<\/p>\n
\"We should evaluate the protocol and disseminate information
\nabout the consequences of the agreement to the public\", said Hira
\nJhamtani, member of National Consortium for Nature and Forest
\nConservation in Indonesia (Konphalindo).<\/p>\n
The global treaty on biosafety called Cartegena Protocol is an
\ninternational regulation focusing on precautionary approaches to
\nensure an adequate level of protection in the field of safe
\ntransfer, handling and use of GMOs resulting from biotechnology.<\/p>\n
After five years of talks, ministers and senior officials from
\nover 130 governments, including Indonesia, finalized an agreement
\nin January in Montreal.<\/p>\n
The agreement is scheduled for signing in Nairobi, Kenya in
\nMay, this year.<\/p>\n
Under the treaty, shipments of commodities that are produced
\nthrough GMO technology should be clearly labeled. Exporters must
\nalso provide detailed information to each importing country in
\nadvance of the first shipment, and the importer must then
\nauthorize the shipment.<\/p>\n
If Indonesia signs the agreement, it should adopt the treaty
\ninto its regulations and be ready to accept imports of farm
\nproducts that include GMOs.<\/p>\n
\"We should establish stronger regulations before we ratify the
\ntreaty. Our interests should be protected\", said Mas Achmad
\nSantosa, director of Indonesian Center for Environmental Law.<\/p>\n
The government recently issued guidelines on the biosafety of
\nfarm products to support the global treaty on GMOs.<\/p>\n
But NGOs claim such guidelines, which were issued to protect
\ncertain farm products, were still too weak to protect the country
\nfrom the influx of imported GMOs in the future.<\/p>\n
GMOs include various food crops that have been genetically
\nmodified for greater productivity of nutritional value, or for
\nresistance to pests or diseases. Common examples are tomatoes,
\ncorn and soybeans. (07)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/delay-signing-protocol-on-biosafety-ngo-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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