www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

Swiss charities say GM technology does not benefit farmers in developing
countries (Keystone). The Swiss Alliance of Development Organisations has
called on voters to accept a five-year moratorium on genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) in agriculture, November 2005.

But a survey commissioned by opponents of the moratorium claims that if it
is accepted on November 27, thousands of jobs could be at risk in
Switzerland.

The alliance, a coalition of Swiss charities, says GM technology cannot
overcome hunger in developing nations.

"These methods only increase the difficulties faced by small farmers by
making them dependent on the agrochemical business," said the alliance's
Mich?le Laubscher in the Swiss capital, Bern, on Friday.

According to the alliance, GM seeds are more expensive than traditional
varieties because of patents and licensing fees. "In Argentina, transgenic
soya beans have contributed to the disappearance of 150,000 small farms,"
added Caroline Morel, director of Swissaid.

Laubscher said that by accepting a moratorium on the use of GM technology in
agriculture, Swiss voters would be sending an important message to all those
fighting its use in developing countries.

"This is made even more important by the fact that Syngenta, one the world's
biggest producers of GM seed, is based in Switzerland," she said.


Survey
However, a survey carried out by the Swiss Institute for Business Cycle
Research for opponents of the moratorium, which was published on Thursday,
claimed that accepting the moratorium would affect both farming and
research.

"Farmers in Switzerland would be at a disadvantage because they would not be
able to grow plants resistant to pests and diseases," said the institute's
director Bernd Schips.

Acceptance would also be detrimental to Swiss research and the country's
economic development.

"Even if genetic research is not banned, a 'yes' vote would convince
companies to take their research out of the country," added Schips, who
warned Switzerland would no longer be a leader in this field.

Based on earlier surveys carried out before an earlier vote in 1998 on
whether to ban genetic research, Schips has calculated that around 40,000
jobs are under threat, in basic research and other areas.

Some researchers have already warned of the possible effects of 'yes' vote.
Besides losing scientists who will head abroad, careers could also be nipped
in the bud according to opponents of the moratorium.

The government has also said that a moratorium on GMOs in agriculture would
be bad news for farmers and consumers, adding that the current law on the
issue, which came into force last year, provided enough protection for
people and the environment.

The procedure for authorising GM crops lasts at least five years - as long
as the moratorium.

[www.swissinfo.org]

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