Ecologists warn of modified crops<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Environmentalists warned yesterday that
\nIndonesia could soon be the target market for genetically
\nmodified crops which they claim have long-term harmful side
\neffects.<\/p>\n
Vandana Shiva, an environmental activist from India and
\nTewolde Egzaiber, the head of the Ethiopian Conservation Garden,
\nsaid genetically modified food commodities such as soybean could
\nbe bound here in increasing numbers as traditional markets such
\nas Europe become more selective of such products.<\/p>\n
While long-term studies still prove inconclusive, they
\nstrongly suspect that genetically modified crops could be harmful
\nto consumers' health and the environment.<\/p>\n
They said that Europe was already debating measures to
\nscrutinize such products by labeling them.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a discussion on genetic engineering and biosafety
\nin the Third World here yesterday, they said Indonesia could
\nbecome a \"dumping place\" if people in other parts of the world
\nbegan refusing to consume such commodities.<\/p>\n
The demand here could also increase.<\/p>\n
Indonesia already imports between 400,000 and 600,000 tons of
\nsoybean annually, mostly from the United States.<\/p>\n
Indonesia was last year hit by a severe drought which has seen
\nsoybean production shrink by 3.82 percent.<\/p>\n
Tariffs on items such as soybean have also been reduced to 20
\npercent and will go down further to 5 percent in 2003.<\/p>\n
Vandana, an internationally recognized physicist, said it was
\nnow up to consumers to resist genetically modified food
\ncommodities in the market since the government could no longer
\nregulate such prohibitions.<\/p>\n
But she maintained that the government could help by
\nseparating the shipment of genetically modified foods from
\norganically processed food to allow consumers to differentiate
\nbetween them.<\/p>\n
She also called for a campaign to increase public awareness on
\nthe possible long-term side effects of such products.<\/p>\n
Tewolde, a delegate at biodiversity conventions, said the
\ngovernment could help raise awareness by providing factual
\ninformation. (09)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ecologists-warn-of-modified-crops-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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