21 May 2003

Hunger strike against GM food ends today

EXCERPTS:

"We have done everything that is humanly possible to stop the poisoned seeds of genetically modified corn from being planted in our farms," stated Verzola.

The agriculture department has a contract with Monsanto to buy the genetically modified corn seeds, for free distribution to farmers.

"This is what we call the unholy alliance between the government and Monsanto," said Verzola.

"I've come to Manila in support of my fellow hunger strikers," said Andrew Haralam, a Peace Corps volunteer and an American national, who led a hunger strike in Baguio, northern Luzon. He was forced to resign after he launched his own sympathy strike on May 9."
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Hunger strike against GM food ends today
Gulf News, Manila |From Our Bureau Chief | 21-05-2003

Three hunger strikers decided to end their fast today, but expressed happiness that 100 other hunger strikers joined them overnight, to protest the proliferation of genetically modified corn in the country.

"I lost 18 pounds," said Roberto Verzola, one of the three remaining hunger strikers who held rallies in front of the agriculture department's office in suburban Quezon City since April 22.

"We have done everything that is humanly possible to stop the poisoned seeds of genetically modified corn from being planted in our farms," stated Verzola.

He blamed President Gloria Arroyo and Luis Lorenzo, the agriculture secretary, for not ordering a moratorium on the planting of the genetically modified corn in Philippine farms.

Last December, Arroyo gave her approval to the proposal of Mosanto Corporation of the United States to sell seeds of a genetically modified corn with bacillus thuringienses which is meant to destroy corn borers.

"The Arroyo government has failed us," said Verzola, adding that Arroyo and Lorenzo did not put a moratorium on Mosanto's plan before leaving for the U.S.  

"By this time, the seeds are being distributed to farmers. It will be difficult to control the distribution of the seeds. Once they are planted, in three months, the plants will bloom, and there will be cross-pollination with the local corn variety which will contaminate our fields with the toxic corn," explained Verzola.

When that happens, the only way to control the spread of the toxic corn is by uprooting the plants.  By that time, the government will have to promise to compensate the farmers their losses.  "That kind of situation is untenable," noted Verzola.

At the same time, Mosanto has started to sell corn seeds at P4,500 ($86.54) for an 11-kilo bag, which can cover a hectare of farmland.  The agriculture department has a contract with Mosanto to buy the genetically modified corn seeds, for free distribution to farmers.  "This is what we call the unholy alliance between the government and Monsanto," said Verzola.

This, he added, will result in the cross pollination of the local corn variety, the contamination of corn fields, and the eventual weakening of the antibodies of the Filipino consumers, which will make them too weak to fight infectious diseases. "We will hold President Arroyo and Secretary Lorenzo liable for this kind of irresponsibility," said Verzola.

Meanwhile, other environment groups joined the "indignation" rally in front of the agriculture department late in the afternoon.  Hunger strikers from other parts of the Philippines went to Manila for the event.

"I've come to Manila in support of my fellow hunger strikers," said Andrew Haralam, a Peace Corps volunteer and an American national, who led a hunger strike in Baguio, northern Luzon. He was forced to resign after he launched his own sympathy strike on May 9.  "The evidence against Bt (bacillus thuringiensis) corn is compelling," said Haralam.

Another hunger striker from Baguio, Manny Onalan, also arrived in Manila for the indignation rally. "I stopped eating in protest of Bt corn on May 7," he said.

The last day of the hunger strike was directed at President Arroyo and Mosanto, said other hunger strikers.  Several other environmental groups in the Philippines and abroad vowed to join the hunger strike in spirit, said Verzola.  Meanwhile, the lobby will be in Congress where a bill was recently filed to stop the spread of genetically modified food products in the country.

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