Environmental groups call on the government to conduct adequate public consultations before issuing a new set of rules for the research, commercial cultivation and importation of genetically modified organisms. (Photo by Jay Directo for Greenpeace)
Environmental activists in the Philippines warned the government against implementing a policy that will allow research, commercial cultivation, and importation of genetically modified organisms.
"The government is rushing to issue new rules and is ignoring precautionary stakeholders," said Sanshen Maglinte, spokesman of the group Green Action PH.
The Philippine government has been finalizing a new set of rules after the country's Supreme Court in December called for an overhaul of previous regulations on genetically modified organisms.
The court affirmed an earlier order for a permanent ban on field trials of genetically modified eggplants and the temporary ban on development of GMOs. The ban is in place only until a new set of rules are issued.
The order affected an estimated 1 million corn farmers and importers of genetically modified soybean meal.
Critics of the use of genetically modified organisms are complaining that the government failed to hold "adequate public consultations" before pressing ahead with the new rules that will govern the use of GMOs in the country.
"There are no conclusive studies on the possible exposure to risks from GMOs as yet," said Maglinte, adding that the government has not done an evaluation of the organisms' impact on human and animal health.
Church groups have supported the call of the activists.
Father Manuel Vicente Catral, head of the Commission on Social Action of the predominantly agricultural Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, criticized the government for "rushing the new rules and ignoring the precautionary principles."
He said precautionary principles advise prudence in the absence of conclusive scientific evidence on the safety of GMOs.
"We are calling for more public consultations, as it is the people who will bear the brunt of these unwanted and untested technologies," said Chito Medina, national coordinator of the environmental group Masipag.
"GMOs should be studied as unique organisms because they have a unique genetic makeup and characteristics not present in their natural counterparts. They require more time and scientific attention," said Leonora Lava of Greenpeace.
Farmers also are complaining that only big agro-chemical companies and businesses with import and biosafety permits will benefit from the new rules to the detriment of farmers.
Peasant leader Rafael Mariano called on the government to focus more on agricultural systems that will benefit the environment and provide safe and sufficient food for the Filipino people.
