EU conference focuses on freedom of choice regarding GM crops

[tocqueville]

Wed Apr 5, 1:34 PM ET

VIENNA (AFP) - An EU ministerial conference on genetically-modified organisms began with politicians emphasizing the right of farmers to choose whether or not to produce GM crops.

Around 2,000 protesters also gathered outside the meeting, entitled "Freedom of Choice," which focused on the issue of co-existence, referring to the problems involved in growing both GM and non-GM crops in Europe.

"Farmers should remain free to decide not to grow GM crops," EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said at the two-day conference in Vienna.

"But that choice is eroded if GM and non-GM crops are unintentionally mixed up," added Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel, saying it was important to ensure "that GM and non-GM crops are properly segregated."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060405/sc_afp/eubiotechcrops_060405173439

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. straw arguement...

If you choose NOT to grow GM, but your neighbor chooses to, then if the wind blows the wrong way, you're growing whether you want to or not. :(

[tocqueville]

4. it's a question of security zones... nt

[converted_democrat]

2. This issue fascinates me.. It's amazing to me that farmers in developing

countries know what's up, but many American farmers think that the suicide seeds are fantastic.. The majority of American farmers just don't get it yet..

[Late Slip]

3. I'm not so sure...

honestly, I don't think there is enough science either way yet. However, I do agree with the first post in that trying to regulate is very difficult because of wind etc.

[converted_democrat]

5. Science is only one factor.. At some point down the line, if the current

trend continues, the majority of seed will be corporate seeds.. If you want seed you will more or less be beholden to who sells them.. That's what people don't get.. If all that is available is suicide seeds, they can choose to sell them at whatever price that they want, and no one will be able to do anything about it, because it will be all that is available.. They (Monsanto) could have close to total control if they want, and given their past actions, who could rule that out?

[roody]

6. When did Monsanto ever do something good for us?

[converted_democrat]

8. Some of their products have been really good for society as

a whole, but anytime you give anyone or anything at a shot of total power over people, problems come of it.. They would literally be in a position to have total control over grains, and much of the food chain. Grains are a huge part of the overall food supply.. It would effect grain products, meat (animals that eat grains), and a big portion of produce.. We could be put in a really bad position, and the majority of people don't even see it coming.. Monsanto has some really bad business practices, and I just think it's unwise to give them the benefit of the doubt on an issue that could bring the world to its knees.. Think about it like this.. Monsanto in control of the food supply, and * co. in charge of energy supply.. We'd be on our knees, and have no recourse.. We'd be forced to do or pay whatever they want to survive..

[roody]

9. I do not appreciate their Round up all around me.

[converted_democrat]

10. Trust me, you won't find me defending them.. n/t

[Viva_La_Revolution]

7. why, thank you... and

to DU!