www.czu.cz ; www.usab-tm.ro ; www.raupp.info

European regions have reiterated their demand to be included in any
decisions over the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops (GM
or GMOs) in order for them to enhance and promote quality agriculture and
food products, May 2005.

Over 250 people from across Europe yesterday attended an over-subscribed
conference in Brussels to hear regional Ministers and MEP's call for a
bigger say in whether GM crops are grown commercially in their region. The
number of European regions and provinces now declaring themselves "GM Free
zones", or publicly wishing to restrict GM crops, has climbed to 162. Over
4500 local governments and smaller areas in Europe are similarly calling for
restrictions to commercial growing (see [www.gmofree-europe.org] for a
full list).

The conference, Safeguarding Sustainable European Agriculture, set out
clearly that regions want to develop quality food products instead of GM
foods. These demands are driven by a combination of concerns over the
environment, food safety, food quality, the local and regional economy, and
consumer and farmer choice. The conference also heard support for the
Agriculture Commissioners notion that there is a need for EU-wide
legislation for the coexistence of GM, conventional, traditional and organic
farming in order to prevent contamination. The Assembly of European Regions
(AER) and Friends of the Earth Europe, published 10 principles that should
be included in any such legislation (see
[www.foeeurope.org]).

The conference was organised by the AER and Friends of the Earth Europe, and
was hosted by Mr Janusz Wojciechowski MEP, with the strong support of Upper
Austria and Tuscany.

Mr Janusz Wojciechowski MEP said:

"In the New Member States the majority of farms are small family farms,
particularly in Poland. For this kind of farming we have the opportunity to
produce ecologically and traditionally using natural technologies, which
respect environmental and animal welfare standards. GMO and other intensive
technologies focus on how to produce more and more products as cheaply as
possible. That idea threatens not only human health and environment safety,
but also the economical and social interest of millions of small farmers."

Mr Josef Martinz, Carinthian Minister for Agriculture, speaking on behalf of
the Assembly of European Regions said:

"I kindly ask the European Commission to lay the ground so that it is
feasible to produce food without GMOs."

Mr Rudi Anschober, Minister for the Environment and Consumer Protection in
Upper Austria said:

" We have led the way in avoiding the commercial cultivation of GM crops and
of seeds and plants containing GMOs with a total ban in our whole region by
regional law. . Having in mind the right of self-determination, the
precautionary and the polluter-pays-principles, Brussels must allow regions
to decide their own form of agriculture."

Ms Susanna Cenni, the new Agriculture Minister for Tuscany said:

"Tuscany is recognized around the world for its rural culture, quality local
products and its special relationship between the environment and its
people. These qualities are treasured, especially economically, and the
introduction of GMOs could irremediably destroy them. We are strongly
determined to defend these qualities from any external factors that could
represent a danger for its delicate balance."

Mr Adrian Bebb, GM campaigner for Friends of the Earth said:

" The European Commission must wake up to the fact that more and more
regions are rejecting the cultivation of genetically modified crops. This is
at complete odds with the Commission strategy to force more GM foods and
crops into Europe."

Created in 1985, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) is the political
voice of the regions and the key partner for the European and international
institutions on every issue of regional competence. The AER promotes
subsidiarity and regional democracy and enables the regions to form the
essential link between the European Union and the citizens.

[www.eubusiness.com]

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