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Letter to EU Commission dated 5th December 2007
Re: Application for GM maize varieties
The Hemel Hempstead GM Action Group has been engaged in the GM crop and food issue for many years now,
and with a wide scope of experience has come to the conclusion that any growing of GM crops in Europe
should come to a halt. This would include the new application of the GM maize variety bt11 of Syngenta
and 1507 of Dupont/Poineer, which should not be allowed for the following reasons:
1. The risk assessment concerning human and animal health is far from being robust despite the reassurances
we are given. The relevant tests have simply not been done. Additionally the potential health effects
of pest-resistant crops may take years to manifest.
2. The pest-resistant GM maize is a poison, poisonous to pests as well as to beneficial insects and
probably to other living organisms as well.
3. The process of obtaining the pest-resistant characteristics of GM maize is not only highly artificial
in laboratory terms, but also highly violent and hazardous. The consequences to health concerning this GM
construct has not been fully understood.
4. The cautionary approach to this highly risky approach to plant breeding must be strictly adhered to.
5. The reason for generating GM crops is not based on the need for these crops - they have largely
performed poorly - but on the well documented profit and power motives of extremely wealthy multinational
companies. These in turn have corrupted the political, economic and research institutions.
Many false claims are being made to serve their purposes.
6. The people of Britain have rejected GM food as shown in the consultation 'GM Britain?'. The response
was a resounding 'No' with the general comment, that getting to know more about the science of GM,
the response became even more negative.
7. The public consultation on the first GM maize resulted in a 99% rejection.
8. The public consultation on 'Co-existence of GM and non GM crops' resulted in an overwhelming
rejection of the Government proposals and the unreasonablesness of the 0.9% contamination loophole.
9. In the face of the public's negative perception of GM crops and the equally negative one of the
independent science community, it is inconceivable that the EU Commission could approve the
application of the GM maize on the basis of reason.
In conclusion, we beg you to vote against this application for the sake of the precautionary principle
and of your responsibility the people of Europe, whom you have chosen to serve.
Your response to this letter would be much appreciated.
Signed: R. Kirst For the Hemel Hempstead GM Action Group
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