Decree on transgenic products deplored

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)