NO TO AUSTRALIAN GMO WHEAT!
New Caledonia imports more than 95% of its wheat from Australia for the production of bread, pastries, and pasta...
Since 2005, Australia is currently testing in open fields a dozen varieties of GMO wheat and barley in 5 States (ACT , Victoria , Western Australia, South Australia and New South Whales).
In July of 2002, two Greenpeace activists destroyed some of the GM wheat trials, highlighting the following arguments:
- uncontrolled contamination of GM wheat in non GMO farms,
- waste of public money : redirection of public research for commercial purposes involving the largest multinational biotechnology companies,
- health concerns,
- planned commercial failure of crops, thus endangering farmer livelihoods,
- patenting of living, etc.
Greenpeace was ordered to pay AU $ 280,000 to CSIRO.
Wheat consists of the main agricultural production of Australia and two thirds of the wheat produced is for export. It is the sixth largest wheat producer and fourth largest exporter globally. The commercial cultivation of GM wheat is expected for 2015, which will make Australia the first country to commercialize transgenic wheat.
New Caledonia imports more than 95% of its wheat from Australia. The Pacific Island countries are heavily dependent on this supply from Australia.
The GMO labeling regulations passed by the Government of New Caledonia in February 2014 does not prohibit GMOs, which may pose problems to public health. The application of the labelling
regulation is scheduled for 2017. It is imperative that this regulation be re- examined and passed by Congress.
By signing this petition:
- I ask the elected New Caledonia to take all necessary steps, namely mandatory labeling of all foods containing GMOs in 2015, and a ban on the marketing of transgenic wheat
- I ask the Australian Government , CSIRO and OGTR stop testing GM wheat and adopt the strict application of a freeze on the authorization of new GMOs in Australia
- I support the Australian anti-GMO NGOs and farmers in their efforts against the grip of biotechnology seed and food
This petition will be delivered to: the Congress of New Caledonia, Elected State Representatives, The Consul General of Australia in New Caledonia, and the Australian Embassy in New Caledonia
STOP GMO Pacific - BP 18624 - 98857 Noumea Cedex NEW CALEDONIA
or scanned by email to: stopogmpacifique@hotmail.fr
More information also on the GMFree Australia Alliance