This looks excellent. If you're in the European Union, you'll see below that you can find out how to contact your MEP here www.europarlorg.uk/news/NWSupcomingmain.htm

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From: "Caroline Lucas"
[email protected]
Subject: European Parliament - Written Declaration on GM Foods

Dear all,

Caroline Lucas has asked me to bring to your attention a written declaration on GM foods, which, along with fellow MEPs, she has brought before the European Parliament. A written declaration is similar to an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons and, if a majority of MEPs sign up to support the declaration within 3 months of its publication, it becomes European Parliament policy. Among other things, this declaration asserts that every country and region has the right to completely prohibit the import, cultivation, and sale of genetically modified organisms.

The declaration attached has been proposed by four MEPs from different political groups and different countries, giving it a high chance of success. Caroline is hoping that some of you may be able to encourage members or supporters to lobby their local MEPs to support the declaration. It needs to attract at least 367 signatures between March and June 13th of this year, otherwise it lapses.

If you are able to promote this declaration on GM foods to your contacts, it may be helpful to signpost them to the European Parliament's website where they can find details of all the regional MEPs www.europarlorg.uk/news/NWSupcomingmain.htm When lobbying MEPs it will also be worth giving them the reference number for the written declaration which is 14/2006, and reminding them that it lapses on June 13th.

Thank you for your time. If you can feed back to us what action you are able to take, this would be much appreciated. Caroline has also asked me to pass on that although the wording of the declaration is not exactly as she would have liked - the result of having to negotiate with 3 other MEPs! - she very much hopes that you will feel able to support it.

If you have any questions or need any further information please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Best wishes,
Cath Miller
Constituency Co-ordinator and Researcher Office of Dr Caroline Lucas MEP Suite 58 The Hop Exchange
24 Southwark Street
London SE1 1TY
Phone: 02074076281 Fax: 02072340183
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
2004 2009
13.03.2006 14/2006

WRITTEN DECLARATION

pursuant to Rule 116 of the Rules of Procedure by Janusz Wojciechowski, Caroline Lucas, Ioannis Gklavakis, Thijs Berman regarding genetically modified food, seeds, and fodder

Lapse date: 13.06.2006

14/2006

Written declaration regarding genetically modified food, seeds, and fodder

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,

A- respecting the will of the majority of EU citizens and many of the Member States regions, who have pronounced against the presence of GMOs.

B- taking into consideration the enormous difficulty of ensuring coexistence of GMOs with other crops

C- recognizing that biodiversity contributes much more to our nutritional safety than any gene technology of plants or animals.

D- taking into consideration, that the best chance for developing agriculture in Europe is through traditional and ecological food production.

E- taking into consideration, the recognized risks that GMO’s present for the health of people, animals and the natural environment.

F- realizing that patent rights on life greatly increase farmers’ costs

1. demands that every country and region has the right to completely prohibit the import, cultivation, and sale of genetically modified organisms

2. urges the European Council and the European Commission to implement a strict and unlimited liability for gene technology firms concerning all damages to the environment, health and economy, which result from the introduction and utilisation of GMOs

3. demands that all patent rights on living organisms be declared as invalid

4. mandates its president to forward this declaration in the name of the undersigned to the Council and the Commission

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