Italian Farmers Association: We don't need GMOs http://www.agi.it/english/news.pl?doc=200605101806-1207-RT1-CRO-0-NF51&page=0&id=agionline-eng.arab

(AGI) - Rome, May 10 - Our agriculture doesn't need GMO, said CIA (Italian farmers association) president Giuseppe Politi, reasserting the association's position on this delicate issue, speaking today in Rome at the convention on GMO "Grano o grane: Ogm alla prova di Governo".

Politi said that CIA's commitment "is to focus on cornerstones such as quality, differentiated supply, tradition, food security, respect of public health norms, information, traceability, rules, safeguard of biodiversity and environment, technique innovation and a more rational use of chemistry and research.

The latest EU affairs, especially the green-lighting of transgenic corn have strengthened our stance on GMO. In Italy, there is a high request of food security. We want to focus on quality and typical features of our products, whose tradition is based on a heritage of expertise, allowing our products to symbolise 'Made in Italy' worldwide.

Italy has always been an avant-guarde country in the genetic enhancement of crops. The varieties of durum wheat conceived in our labs are among the most common. Now, we risk losing all this. Farmers and consumers need more warranties. We need concrete measures, and the EU must provide clear replies. There is still too much confusion at a EU level, with no clear guidelines. That's why we ask that, above all, controls be stricter. We cannot leave such an important aspect so unprotected. This, however, doesn't mean we rule out everything. We don't oppose science and research. Everything must be done abiding by the principle of precaution, safeguarding particular needs and Italian quality products. We ask that local farmers be allowed to freely plan their activities. That's the starting point to enhance our agriculture, adjusting production to market requirements. We can do that without GMOs. The key words are: security for consumers, and certainty for farmers.

Today, GMOs risk ironing out our unique agricultural diversity and quality, linked to traditions and flavours".

(AGI) .
101806 MAG 06

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