NGOs query genetically modified crops
NGOs query genetically modified crops
JAKARTA (JP): Environmental and consumer groups called on the
government here on Monday to expedite the issuance of clear and
strict regulations on the distribution of genetically modified
food and products as such products are already widely available
on the Indonesian market.
The Indonesian Consumers Organization (YLKI), the National
Consortium for Nature and Forest Conservation and the Pesticide
Action Network in a joint briefing alleged that the distribution
of genetically modified products was illegal as the government
claimed that no genetically modified products had been approved
for import.
The groups claim that such imported, altered products can be
easily found.
What is more alarming is that consumers and farmers have no
knowledge of the genetically modified characteristics of these
products.
A member of YLKI's board of directors, Arimbi H., would not
comment on whether she felt that the products were safe or not as
testing had yet to be conducted here. Nevertheless, she argued
that the rights of consumers were being violated as they were not
being fully informed as to the true nature of the products.
"The effects aren't known yet but the products are already on
the market and consumers have been given absolutely no
information about them," Arimbi said.
The groups called on the government to take quick action and
to fully test the products.
They further implored the authorities not to accept without
question the conclusions of manufacturers claiming their products
are safe.
The government has to make available to the public test data
and the evaluations of scientists so the that results can be
properly appraised.
An investigation by the three groups found that several
genetically modified varieties were already on the market and
were being widely used by farmers across the country.
Among these are the genetically modified corn hybrid C7 Bt,
corn C7 RR and cotton plant Bt.
They are being cultivated at about 20 sites in parts of East
Java, Central Java, West Java, Lampung and South Sulawesi.
Arimbi claimed that the planting of these crops should be
considered illegal as "no permits have been issued by the
government for the planting of such crops".
These products are considered Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMOs) which are 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.
Fears of negative side effects have prompted the European
Union to issue a ruling on the labeling of foods and food
additives that contain at least 1 percent GMOs.
The policy aims to alert consumers to even a slight presence
of GMOs in food.
Arimbi reiterated calls for the government to adopt such
labeling methods so that consumers can be fully informed.
She added that the Ministry of Forestry and Plantations along
with the Ministry of Health have already conducted some tests on
several of these crops. However, the results of these tests have
yet to be made public.
Tejo Wahyu Jatmiko of Konphalindo said their investigation
found that the farmers who planted these crops, which are
distributed by multinational companies here, had no inkling of
the genetically modified nature of their crops.
"We also came across a case, but only one case so far, of an
allergic reaction from one of the farmers due to the crop," Tejo
said without elaborating.
"When he ate regular corn he was alright. It was only after he
ate the genetically modified corn that the allergic reaction
occurred."
However, the companies distributing the alleged genetically
modified products claim that their varieties are simply hybrids.
PT Branita Sandhini, the company distributing the C7 Bt corn
variety denied that the corn is genetically modified.
"The corn is a conventional hybrid," the company's finance
manager Prananto Nugroho told The Jakarta Post recently.
Although the company did not themselves conduct research on
the product, they had been given assurances from the corn's
producer, PT Monagro Kimia.
PT Monagro is a subsidiary of the American-based company
Monsanto.
Monsanto is the second largest seed producing company and the
third largest agrochemical company in the world. It has developed
genetically engineered products like soybeans which resist
specific herbicides.
Monagro's Corporate Communications Manager Tri Sukirman also
denied the allegation, saying that the corn is a plain hybrid.
"We have already informed the government departments and the
distributors concerned that this is not a genetically modified
product. We don't know how they (the NGOs) could come to such a
conclusion," she told the Post. (09)