Decree on transgenic products deplored

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for Environment Sonny Keraf lamented at Ministry of Agriculture Decree No. 107/2001 which allows limited sales of transgenic crops in Sulawesi.

The decree, which was issued on Feb. 6, allows limited release of transgenic cotton Bt DP 5690B in Sulawesi, as quality crop varieties under the name of Nucotn 35 B or Bolgard.

"My office actually opposes the decree because we think that we have to stick to a precautionary principle. We don't object to the technology, but nobody can assure the safety of such crops, so we have to be careful," he told reporters on Friday.

Sonny contended that the whole issue of transgenic crops in Sulawesi is merely "trade politics".

He was referring to a test by agrochemical firm PT Monagro Kimia to plant transgenic Bt cotton.

PT Monagro is a subsidiary of the world's second largest seed producing company and third largest agrochemical company, the American-based Monsanto. It has developed genetically engineered products like soya beans which resist specific herbicides.

Despite controversy over the products, Monagro has tried to plant transgenic cotton over the last seven months in Bantaeng and Bulukumba regencies, South Sulawesi.

The company is now harvesting the crops, planted in an area of 500 hectares. The products have been exported and some are distributed in local markets.

Bantaeng regent Azikin Solthan said on Sunday that the local administration will continue developing transgenic cotton plantation in a bid to achieve maximum quality crops, as there is no scientific evidence to suggest that the transgenic process will harm nature.

Azikin said that cotton farmers using transgenic plantation methods received an average of three tons of cotton per hectare from a previous crop of only 750 kilograms per hectare.

"The farmer can get an additional Rp 2.5 million (US$263) to Rp 3 million ($315) per hectare through this system," he added.

Sonny said it was likely that the people were being collided with his ministry.

"It's as if we're blocking people's interests. While we only want to be careful to avoid problems in the future," he said.

"If the scientists can prove that transgenic products are safe, good. But in the mean time, we will insist a precautionary principle. If there are problems in the future, history will record us as the party who did everything to protect the public," Sonny added.

Transgenic technology is a way to create higher quality crops and stocks by inserting genes from other species.

These products are termed Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) or biologically engineered products in which genes are inserted to protect the plant from pests or to resist a specific herbicide.

Despite assurances from scientists that the products are harmless, some doubts have been raised as to the safety of genetically modified foods and its effect to health and the environment.

Sonny said his office is now giving priority to make the existing 1999 joint ministerial decree on food and natural product safety into a presidential decree or government regulation.

The decree was jointly issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Forestry, the Ministry of Food and Horticulture and the Ministry of Health.

There has been some criticism over the decree as being incomprehensive, citing its failure to include labeling or an environmental impact assessment.

"Hopefully around April or May, the new decree will be issued," Sonny said. (hdn)