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| Philippines |
| US FIRM DEFIES PROTESTS AGAINST GENETIC CROPS |
by Villamor Visaya Jr. |
| 07-Sep-2001 Philippine Daily Inquirer |
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CAUAYAN
CITY-The
agricultural firm Monsanto Philippines will push through with its
genetically modified organism-laced corn tests in at least 10 towns in
Isabela despite opposition to the alleged ill effects of Bt-corn (Bacillus
thuringiensis). Dr. Victor Alpuerto, Monsanto Philippines project coordinator, said the project was approved by the National Committee on Bio-safety of the Philippines under the Department of Science and Technology. Monsanto Philippines has already planted Bt-corn in Barangay Villaluna in Cauayan City and Barangay Carulay in Echague town although the field tests have yet to be approved and endorsed by the Isabela provincial board. The board suggested that the issue be tossed back for decision to the municipal councils of the towns identified as field testing areas. But Alpuerto said the company is not required to conduct public hearings because the tests were already approved by the NCBP. He said Monsanto was willing to launch an "awareness campaign" on Bt-corn. He said groups threatening to uproot the crops face legal action from Monsanto. In a pastoral letter read in parishes in the province, Bishop Sergio Utleg of the Diocese of Ilagan and the Isabela clergy urged residents to oppose the field-testing. "They (clergy) should prove their allegations," Alpuerto said in reaction to the pastoral letter. "Their claim of contamination is mainly pollen transfer. Contamination is a negative word. Of course, pollen transfer is a natural phenomenon." He said people were misinformed on the basic terms of biotechnology. "Let us give the farmers enough options on how to improve their land and crop production. We should welcome this kind of development," he said. In Bukidnon, however, local officials said militant groups gave an ultimatum that they would take more drastic actions to fight the entry of GMOs into the country. On Tuesday, groups opposed to GMO experiments, particularly Bt-corn, flocked to Bukidnon and entered a 500-square meter lot that Monsanto uses to test Bt-corn. The militant groups, backed by the Church, told local governments they faced condemnation should they allow the testing of GMOs. Officials of Bukidnon said the protesters gave the local government five days to revoke the license to test given Monsanto or militants would invade more experimental farms and uproot crops. But some officials said a resolution that allows the tests would not be withdrawn. "The behavior of those people who were not from our town or even part of our constituency, and dictate (to) us what to do, was an utter show of disrespect," said Councilor Jaime Serina. |
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