FROM ADRIAN BEBB AT FOE: Just to let you know that the court case in Greece has been postponed as there are local elections and all courts are closed. They are expecting a new date in the next two months. In the meantime please find time to send them a short email in support as this will be used in the court. Thanks

Adrian
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Dear all,

Greek farmers are asking for your support!!!!! 

Below is a letter from the second biggest farmers organisation in greece, GESASE, who are taking to the court Syngenta, Pioneer and the Greek Government for GM maize contamination incidents that occurred in 2004. This Thursday is the first trial day and they are asking for organisations to support them by sending a letter of support.

Some details are below

Many thanks

Adrian
 
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The story :

In spring 2004, Greek authorities discovered that contaminated corn and cotton seeds have entered the greek market. In many cases, the corn contaminated seeds had been sold to farmers without their knowledge and already sown in various small areas mainly at Northern parts of Greece. According to Ministry of Agriculture official statements Greek government traced and destroy 117,97 hectares of sown corn fields. Two companies were liable for the GE corn contamination, Pioneer and Syngenta. Both companies offered to the farmers compensation provided that they would had signed a contract. By signing the contract the farmer was bound not to turn against the company; in case they would they had to return the money of compensation to the company. The amount of compensation differed from farmer to farmer, from area to area and from company to company. In some cases, a company offered to cover the cost of farmer’s expenses up to that time. In other cases, they offered to cover a part of the lost profit or a part of the subsidy per hectare.
The General Confederation of Greek Agrarian Association (GESASE) decided to support some farmers to proceed to the court against the companies. Few months later, GESASE announced in a Press Conference (10.03.2005) that in the name of farmers that had cultivated ge contaminated hybrid seeds, they filed a lawsuit against SYNGENTA. GESASE filed a second lawsuit against the greek authorities as they had allowed GE contaminated seeds to enter the greek market. Although, since 2001, Hellenic Ministry of Agriculture, has been conducting official controls on imported  and domestic seedlots in order to eliminate cases of contamination, it is obvious that  thses controls did not prevent ge seed contamination. The first incidents of seed contamination had been revealed by Greenpeace in 2000, when they had conducted tests to cotton seeds.  
 
Mr Goniotakis, the President of GESASE stated that they will continue their battle against GMOs, as the unique biodiversity of greek agriculture is in danger and has to to be preserved. In numerous cases in the past, GESASE has undertaken action to stop GMOs enter the greek agriculture.
 
In June 2005, GESASE announced that will support another group of farmers  against the company Pioneer HI-Bred and a third lawsuit was filed.

The letter:

GENERAL CONFEDERATION OF GREEK AGRARIAN ASSOCIATION (GESASE)

19 October 2006

Subject: GESASE lawsuit against SYNGENTA

Dear friends,

On Thursday 26th of October 2006, the first of a series of lawsuits against companies that unlawfully supplied GM contaminated seeds to Greek farmers, will take place at Athens Court of Justice.
 
As you may know, the State Inspection Authorities found “Syngenta” and “Pioneer” to supply such seeds about two years ago.
 
For all of us and our organization GESASE , who represents the professional interests of farmers in Greece, it is of critical importance that such unlawful practices are condemned by the Court and that firms who undermine the interests of the farmers and the rural world, compensate  for the damages that they have caused.
 
Please send us your message of support or your views at [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> or [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
 
Since the final Court decision could affect all similar cases in Europe, your support is crucial and will be used during the Court hearing.
 
G. Goniotakis                                  N.Lappas,
 
President of GESASE                    GE Campaigner

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