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From: "James Williams" <James.Williams@ams.greenpeace.org>
To: press-releases@xs2.greenpeace.org
Subject: WTO "WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN" -Greenpeace
final comment
Date: Sat, 4 Dec 1999 9:17 PM
WTO "WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN" -Greenpeace final
comment
Seattle-03 December 1999-Regardless of the detailed outcome of
the
talks in Seattle this week, including the possible creation of a
WTO
Working Group on Biotechnology, the World Trade Organisation will
never be the same again, Greenpeace International said today.
"Peaceful protestors in Seattle and voices from around the
world have
called for the WTO to include environmental protection,
transparency,
democracy and participation. From here on it will be simply
impossible
for the WTO to ignore their concerns," said Remi Parmentier
of Greenpeace
International.
Greenpeace said there was particular significance in the
controversy
that took place between the US and Canada on the one hand and the
vast
majority of the member states on the other, over the need to
prevent the
proliferation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food
and
agriculture.
"In less than a week, the discussion here on GMOs has
brought an
international focus on a critical environmental agreement:
the
Biosafety Protocol," said Parmentier. "Last week, when
you mentioned
the word 'biosafety' to anyone, the first reaction you would get
was
'biowhat?'. But an outcome from this week is that this word
is now on
everybody's lips and there is little doubt that biosafety is
urgently
needed."
He was referring to the on-going negotiations, within the
framework
of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), to
adopt a
Protocol on Biosafety. Throughout 1999 the US and Canada,
both large
exporters of GM crops, have attempted to use the WTO to undermine
the
efforts of UNEP to conclude the Protocol.
"The WTO's lack of understanding of environmental issues
have had a
boomerang effect on the US and Canada this week," said
Parmentier. "It was
to be expected: their lack of understanding of current
environmental and
social realities was at the root of the Seattle debacle."
Greenpeace said the next stop after Seattle would be Montreal
where
the Biosafety Protocol must be concluded at a ministerial
meeting in
January.
"We invite the WTO to cooperate in this process rather than
obstruct. The
lack of international rules on biosafety is bad for trade and is
an
irreversible obstacle to sustainable agriculture and food
safety," said
Greenpeace's International Biosafety spokesperson, Marijane
Lisboa from
Brazil.
In Greenpeace's view, the Biosafety Protocol must contain the
following key clauses:
1. The precautionary principle must be the overriding basis for
all
decisions adopted within its framework, because damage must be
anticipated and prevented before it is allowed to start taking
place;
2. The right of any country to say "NO!" to GMOs in
food and
agriculture must be recognised and re-affirmed by the Protocol
3. The Biosafety Protocol must establish an international regime
of
unlimited liaibility covering all damages that may arise
from GMOs,
including environmental damage;
4. The right for any country to establish labelling schemes and
crop
segregation with a view to guaranteeing product traceability must
be
clearly recognised and
5. Of course, the Biosafety Protocol cannot be subordinate
to the
WTO.
end
Kind regards,
For information please contact:
Greenpeace International Press Office
T: ++ 31 20 5249515
F: ++ 31 20 5236212
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