- Greenpeace has demanded a full investigation into illegal
planting of genetically engineered (GE) corn in Argentina and a disclosure
of the new cover-up involving agribusiness giant Monsanto.
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- According to information leaked to Greenpeace, substantial
amounts of Monsanto's herbicide resistant Roundup Ready corn GA 21 were
planted last year in Argentina's main three corn production provinces
of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe and Cordoba.
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- This GE variety has not been approved for planting or
human or animal consumption in Argentina, or for import to Europe.
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- While the Argentinean Secretariat of Agriculture confirmed
the case on Thursday, Monsanto claimed it was not aware of it.
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- Monsanto presented its Roundup herbicide resistant corn
at last year,s National Agriculture fair ExpoChacra 2000, where the company,
according to the information leaked to Greenpeace, also distributed the
seeds despite the fact they were unapproved.
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- Monsanto had applied for approval for the product already
in 1999, but the Argentinean authorities had refused the permit because
of export concerns as the variety is banned in Europe.
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- While the US corn industry suffered massive losses in
the European and Japanese market over the past years because of contamination
with GE corn, Argentina had subsequently become the primary exporter of
corn to the European Union. "Monsanto deliberately puts Argentinean
corn exports at risk with this illegal action," said Emiliano Ezcurra
of Greenpeace Argentina.
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- Greenpeace was also informed that the case of illegal
plantings was known within the Agricultural Secretariat as early as January
this year. When confronted with the allegations, the authorities admitted
that indeed "unapproved GMOs" had been detected and were now
being searched for and destroyed. The Secretariat refused to disclose
the identity of the GMO, the quantities, the regions affected or the name
of the company involved. "Why did both the company and the authorities
remain silent so long? There must be very close links between Monsanto
and some officials in the Secretariat to continue this cover-up until we
exposed it," Ezcurra added. "This company simply doesn't
play by the rules, but pursues a ruthless global strategy of legal and
illegal contamination with genetically engineered seeds," said Benedikt
Haerlin of Greenpeace International. "This case follows the same
pattern as the massive smuggling of GE soybeans from Argentina to Brazil,
where Monsanto's Roundup Ready soybeans are still illegal. Of course
Monsanto denies any involvement in this criminal action but at the same
time Monsanto is involved in massive public propaganda exercise for these
seeds in Brazil, despite the fact they are actually contraband."
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- "Monsanto is a very powerful company in our country,"
said Emiliano Ezcurra, "but that must not mean they are above the
law. We demand a full investigation of these activities and we demand
that Monsanto be prosecuted and held liable for any costs resulting from
this contamination."
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- For further information In Argentina
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- Emiliano Ezcurra
- Greenpeace Genetic Engineering Campaigner
- Tel +54.114.962 04 04
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- Oscar Soria - Press Officer
- Tel +541149620404 or
- Mob +54111551090786
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- Greenpeace International
- Benedikt Haerlin
- Genetic Engineering Campaigner
- Tel +493030889916
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- Greenpeace International Press Office
- Teresa Merilainen
- Tel +31205236637
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- MainPage
http://www.rense.com
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